MEfiDE 


F 621 

1655 State of Iowa 

Copy 2 

1921 


MEMORIALS 


Thirty-Ninth General Assembly 

Senate and House 


Tributes to the Memory of 
Departed Members 


Published by 
'THE STATE OF IOWA 
Des Moines 















State of Iowa 

1921 




JU 


t 


MEMORIALS 

Thirty-Ninth General Assembly 

Senate and House 


Tributes to the Memory of 
Departed Members 


Published by 
THE STATE OF IOWA 
Des Moines 


<C 


P 







F&2I 

XlsSS 

z 


library of congress 

RECEIVED 

MAY 1 41921 

DOCUMENTS DIVISION 



a\-\2>toiy 






IN MEMORIAM 


Iowa State Senate 


George W. Ball. 



6, 1848-Mar. 

14, 

1920 

Henry Franklin Andrews. 



27, 1844-May 

20, 

1919 

Benjamin McCoy . 



22j 1846-Aug. 

24, 

1920 

T. W. Bennett. 



l] 1852-Feb. 

2, 

1920 

John A. Green. 



10, 1844- 



Lauiutz M. Enger. 



,3; 1856-Aug. 

2, 

1920 

John Henry Smith. 



19, 1827-Aug. 

26, 

1919 

William Eaton . 



9, l'|849-Dec. 

3, 

1920 

Samuel A. Converse. 



3, 1843-May 

29, 

1919 

John L. Bleakly. 



17, 1857-June 

17, 

1920 

John Everall. 



20,1839-May 

17, 

1920 

Frank B. Bayless. 



9, 1840-Mar. 

6, 

1920 

Hiram C. Bishop. 



10, 1852-Mar. 

22, 

1921 























































































































































































































I ,v 






























* 






























































































JOURNAL OF THE SENATE 


MEMORIALS 


Senate Chamber, 

Des Moines, Iowa, April 5, 1921. 

The Senate met in memorial session at 7:30 p. m,, President pro 
tern Newberry presiding. 


GEORGE W. BALL 

Senator Fulton, from a special committee, submitted the follow¬ 
ing report and moved its adoption: 

Mr. President —Your committee named to prepare a memorial to com¬ 
memorate the life and service of George W. Ball, submit the following 
report: 

George Washington Ball, son of Joseph and Margaret Langfit Ball, 
was born March 6, 1848, in Brooks county, Virginia. On his father’s 
side he descended from the same family as Mary Ball, mother of George 
Washington, and on his mother’s side from the same family as President 
James K. Polk. 

His father, to escape from the contaminating and evil influence of 
slavery, in 1854, brought his family to Jefferson county, Iowa. Here 
the son George grew to manhood, and here lived an active and useful 
life. His education, obtained in the district school and Fairfield Uni¬ 
versity, was substantial and practical. On October 31, 1872, he married 
Miss Margaret Laughlin, who bore him five sons and one daughter. 
In his earlier years he was engaged principally in farming and in the 
raising of stock, but in his later years he became interested in banking 
and in manufacturing enterprises. He belonged to the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and was a communicant of the Christian church. 
In politics, he was Republican. He served his district as a member of 
the House of Representatives in the Twenty-second, Twenty-third and 
Thirty-sixth General Assemblies, and as senator in the Thirty-seventh 
and Thirty-eighth General Assemblies. 

He was devoted to his family, loyal to his friends, helpful to his com¬ 
munity. In business, he was found a wise counselor. No worthy cause 


— 5 — 





but received his support. Once enlisted, he put his heart in the work 
and was indefatigable in his efforts. He gave freely of his time and 
his means. On moral issues, he held to a high standard. He was firm 
in his beliefs and defended them against every foe with vigor and in¬ 
telligence. 

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That in the death of George W. Ball, the 
Senate recognizes the loss of a valuable citizen who desired and labored 
to improve and upbuild his community and state, and takes this occas- 
sion to express its appreciation of his character and public services, and 
to extend its sympathy to his family in their bereavement; and 

Be It Further Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the 
journal and a copy of them transmitted by the secretary to the family 
of the deceased. 

C. J. Pulton, 

Chester W. Whitmore, 

J. D. Buser. 

The resolution was adopted unanimously by a rising vote. 
Senator Buser spoke as follows: 

It seems to me fitting that the memory of George W. Ball be com¬ 
memorated by this body upon this occasion. While I did not have the 
pleasure of an extended acquaintance with Senator George Ball, my 
acquaintance only having extended over the period of two years during 
the session of the Thirty-eighth General Assembly, I found much, and 
I know the other members of that Assembly and of previous assemblies 
in which the Senator was a member, have found much to love and re¬ 
spect in the character of George W. Ball. I can not forget the last 
night of the session, of the Thirty-eighth General Assembly, when at 
periods during the evening session we had interims in which we were 
not busy with the usual work of the session, and we resorted to the 
pastime of making short speeches and singing songs. Among others 
that responded, I may say rather reluctantly, was Senator Ball; and I 
say without fear of successful disputation that the Senator made one 
of the finest short addresses made at that time, and that there were few 
others that appealed as much to those present; that it was one of the 
best addresses that I have ever heard given in the Senate. 

The one outstanding characteristic of Senator Ball was his great 
character and his wonderful personality, that every one who knew him 
surely understood and appreciated. 

Senator Stoddard spoke as follows: 

It is my privilege to have known Senator Ball only during the session 
of the Thirty-eighth General Assembly. I was just thinking as we began 
this evening session and his name was mentioned, that I remember very 
well the first time that I met him, and his kindly attitude to me at 


that time, coming as I did for my first session of the Legislature. I 
think that we all enjoyed the good fellowship with Senator Ball, and 
his kindly humor. I remember very well a great many of his talks which 
he gave. I think we all appreciated his steady manner. Honest in his 
convictions, although we did not always agree with his ideas, we gave 
him credit always for being honest in what he did. 

Senator Horchem spoke as follows: 

I first met Senator Ball in the House. Everybody in the House had 
great respect, for him. The next time I met him was in here, and as 
Senator Stoddard says, he was very conservative, exact, and precise. 
He said things with very much force, and had character in everything 
he did. He was economical, but he was kindly and considerate. He 
knew that we had chairs here that were not so convenient as they 
should be, and he was the one who moved to buy new chairs for the 
clerks, to the surprise of everybody, because the Senators knew him to 
be careful and exacting, but it was because he saw the necessity and 
the right to have them. I can say that one of the best compliments 
I have ever received was after he had made a speech denouncing the 
increase of salaries of probation officers, and after I replied to him, 
showing the importance of the office and the influence the probation 
officer had on the life of the boy and girl, and after I showed the neces¬ 
sity and importance of promoting that office, he got up and apologized 
for making the remarks he had, and assured the Senate he would vote 
for my bill. There were four speakers against that bill of mine, of 
whom he was the last, and after I made my speech he got up and apol¬ 
ogized, suggesting that everybody vote for the bill, and every Senator 
voted for the bill. He had the character of Washington and Polk, as 
has been said. He was sincere; he was a man of whom we all may be 
proud. I know I am proud that I had the honor of serving with him in 
this Senate. 

Senator Newberry spoke as follows: 

It was my pleasure to have served for two sessions with Senator Ball. 
It is a great pleasure to recall Senator Ball’s memory. He was kindly 
and considerate and resolute, and he had the courage of his convictions. 
There was a vein of humor about him that was very pleasant. 


HENRY FRANKLIN ANDREWS 

Senator Mantz, from a special committee, submitted the follow¬ 
ing report and moved its adoption: 

Mb. President —Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions com¬ 
memorative of the life, character and public service of the Hon. Henry 
Franklin Andrews, late of Audubon county, Iowa, beg leave to report 
the following memorial: 



Hon. Henry Franklin Andrews was born at Lovell, Maine, June 27, 
1844, and died at his home at Exira, Iowa, May 20, 1919. 

His family was of English origin and could be traced directly back to 
the Saxon ancestors living in Great Britain at a remote period. His 
ancestors came to New England at an early date and settled in the 
state of Maine, among a part of the pioneers of that section of the 
country. 

Mr. Andrews had not the advantage of a college education, yet he 
was a man of wide reading and thoroughly informed and during his en¬ 
tire life was very active in all public affairs. 

In 1862, when but a boy of 18, he enlisted as a volunteer in the 
Union cause and served under the flag until the end of the war, taking 
part in many of the important battles of the east. 

During the war, the parents of Mr. Andrews moved to Audubon 
county, Iowa, where Mr. Andrews joined them in October, 1865. Soon 
after his arrival there, he began teaching school and served Audubon 
county during the years of 1867-8 as county recorder and in 1868 as 
county judge. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1870 and con¬ 
tinued a member of the Audubon county bar down to the time of his 
death. 

During his later life, he became afflicted with deafness and to such 
an extent that it seriously interfered with his active trial work. He 
then turned his attention largely to the compiling and writing of gen¬ 
ealogies and family histories and was an author of a number of vol¬ 
umes of that nature. A few years before his death, he compiled a 
history of Audubon county. This work is especially valuable because it 
deals with the early pioneer days of that county. 

In politics, Mr. Andrews was a Republican, but in the matter of pub¬ 
lic affairs, he placed his state above his party. He held a number of 
public offices and during the years from 1892 to 1895 was state sen¬ 
ator from the district comprised of Audubon, Dallas and Guthrie coun¬ 
ties. He was active in legislation having for its purpose the advance¬ 
ment of the interest of the G. A. R. He held a number of important 
positions in that organization. 

As a lawyer, he was able, industrious and was always faithful to the 
interest of his clients and his word was as good as his bond. He never 
swerved in his loyalty to them who trusted him with their business. 

Mr. Andrews was married in 1871 to Jennie M. Norton of Oakfield, 
Iowa. Her death took place a few years prior to the death of her hus¬ 
band. Four children to this union survive, Charles F., Wallace P., 
John H., and Phillip S., all of Shoshoni, Wyoming. 

As stated above, Mr. Andrews died on May 20, 1919 and on the 15th 
day of January, 1920, the Bar Association of Audubon county, Iowa, 


adopted a resolution, which, after reciting the family and public history 
of the life of Senator Andrews, concludes as follows: 

“Now, be it resolved, by the members of the bar of Audubon county, 
Iowa, assembled in memory of our deceased friend and colleague, Henry 
Franklin Andrews, that we deem it proper to publicly express our ap¬ 
preciation of his admirable qualities as a lawyer and as a citizen and 
that it is but a just tribute to the memory of the departed to say, that 
in regretting his removal from our midst, we mourn for one who was, 
in every way, worthy of our respect and regard, and 

Be it further resolved that, the court so ordering, this obituary and 
resolution be spread upon the records of this court.” 

Now Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Thirty-ninth Gen¬ 
eral Assembly of Iowa, that in the death of the Honorable Henry Frank¬ 
lin Andrews, the state and community where he lived, have suffered the 
loss of an influential and honorable citizen; and 

Be It Further Resolved , That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon 
the journal of the Senate and that the secretary be directed to send an 
engrossed copy thereof to the sons of the deceased. 

H. J. Mantz, 

J. A. Nelson, 

B. W. Newberry. 

The resolution was adopted unanimously by a rising vote. 
Senator’ Mantz spoke as follows: 

In moving the adoption of this report I would say that I do not sup¬ 
pose that any of the members of this legislature knew Senator Andrews. 
He served in this body during the sessions of the Twenty-fourth and 
Twenty-fifth General Assembly, nearly thirty years ago. It was my 

privilege to know him intimately. I have known him ever since I was 

a boy. He came to that part of the state when it was a part of the 

Wild West, following the close of the Civil War, where he served with 

honorable record. He came out there into that country when possibly 
there were not five hundred people in the county, and settled at Exira, 
which was then the county seat, and remained there during the rest of 
his life. As has been recited in the resolution, he first took up and fol¬ 
lowed the profession of teacher; later on he held the office of county 
recorder. He was admitted to the bar, and from the date of his admis¬ 
sion to the bar he practiced in the courts of western Iowa down to within 
a few years of his death. At one time he served as county judge. The 
last few years he became afflicted with a difficulty in hearing, which 
barred him from the active practice of his profession. He then turned 
his attention to writing genealogies, and he became quite expert in that 
line. He had a penchant for doing that kind of work. He was a relative 
of Hannibal Hamblin, vice president under Lincoln, and he wrote the 
genealogy of the Hamblin family. I recall on one occason I dropped into 


— 9 — 


his office to see him, because I enjoyed visiting with him—he had gone 
through the experiences of an early day, and it was a weakness of mine 
to want to sit at the feet of those men and listen to their narratives of 
the past—I remember on this occasion going into his little office, and 
he was showing m« some of the work that he was doing. He had some 
works there on genealogy as large as our compiled code. I asked him 
when he expected to get through with that work; and he said he never 
expected to get through with it. I suggested that I thought I would 
never start anything that I could never get through with; and he said, 
“Young man, when you get to my age you will find that there are a 
lot of loose ends hanging around.” And the older I get the more I realize 
that there are a lot of loose ends hanging around. 

He was one of the pioneers of that period; he saw the change, the 
marked change, since those years of development. Coming to the county 
when th*r« was not five per cent of the land under cultivation, staying 
through all that period of development down to the date of hs death, 
when practically every acre was under cultivation,—it is marvelous 
when we think of it, that a man could pass through all the stages of 
those years and see that great change in the county; and coming in, as he 
did, as a sort of public personage, taking a part in the public affairs, 
a leader as he was, it is hard for us to estimate the influence a 
character like that had upon the community. He entered into the pro¬ 
fession of the practice of law, and while he was a busy man all his life, 

he died poor, as we speak of men. As a lawyer, however, he was not 

inclined to push litigation; he was not what we commonly call the am¬ 
bulance chaser; but rather he was a lawyer of the old school. Usually 

when men came to him with their tales of their grievances and wrongs, 
he would get up, put on his hat, and go out to see the other fellow, to 
get the other side of the case, and try to effect a reconciliation. Up in 
his office when people would come to him with a complaint, reciting 
their grievances and difficulties, he would try to see the other fellow; 
and he had a wonderful faculty of bringing the parties together and har¬ 
monizing and reconciling their difficulties. I have often thought that 
many a lawyer of today could emulate the example of that lawyer of 
the old school, and if instead of rushing into court and starting the legal 
processes, they would get the parties together behind closed doors, and 
act the part of a citizen to settle their difficulties out of court, it would 
be a great deal better. For this reason, the reason that he did not en¬ 
courage litigation, he never became a wealthy man. He simply did it as a 
public service, and I know as a matter of fact that many a time he has 
acted as an attorney where he knew when he took the case that he 
would never receive any compensation. He did it as a public service, 
having regard for his oath that he was an officer of the court, and that 
he would do his duty irrespective of fee or reward. 

As I have stated before, he was an old soldier, a member of the 
G. A. R. and held a number of positions in the state organization. Very 
active, very loyal, there was nothing that he would not do for an old 
soldier. He served as a member of the Soldiers’ Relief Commission for 


a number of years, always active and interested in the welfare of the 
boys in blue. While I know nothing about his work as a legislator, know¬ 
ing the man, I feel and know that he took an active interest in all legis¬ 
lation which would interest the whole people and be for their welfare. 
In his departure the state lost a good citizen and the community lost 
a good neighbor and a good fr.iend. 


BENJAMIN McCOY ' 

Senator Caldwell, from a special committee, offered the follow¬ 
ing report and moved its adoption: 

Mu. President —Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions com¬ 
memorating the life, character and public services of Benjamin McCoy, 
beg leave to submit the following report: 

Benjamin McCoy, a member of the Twentieth, Twenty-first, Twenty- 
second and Twenty-third General Assemblies, was born in Jefferson county, 
Ind., March 22, 1846. He received his higher education at Cornell Col¬ 
lege, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and after leaving school was employed for some 
time as a surveyor and teacher. During the Civil War he served as a 
private in Company H, Forty-seventh regiment, Iowa infantry. 

Judge McCoy was admitted to the bar in 1871, and located at Oska- 
loosa in 1874. He was a member of the law firm of Bolton, McCoy & 
McCoy, later of the firm of McCoy & McCoy. While acting as one of the 
judges of the district court of the sixth district, he was appointed as one 
of the code commissioners to revise the code, and was also appointed a 
railroad commissioner by Governor Frank Jackson, both of which latter 
positions he declined. 

In 1920 he underwent a serious operation in Chicago, from which opera¬ 
tion he never fully recovered and he died August 24, 1920, at his home 
in Oskaloosa, Iowa. 

Hon. G. S. Robinson, judge of the state supreme court, who has been 
quite intimate with him, professionally and politically, for eighteen years, 
gives the following estimate of Mr. McCoy’s character: 

“He is a man of absolute integrity, of fine ability, whose inclinations 
lead him to seek for and to do justice in all cases, even though matters 
of mere form have to be disregarded to attain that end. As a practicing 
lawyer, judge and legislator, he has attained high rank and achieved 
distinction. He is an exceedingly companionable gentleman of many 
excellent personal qualities, who deservedly stands high in the state.” 

Whereas, The Honorable Benjamin McCoy, a member of the Twentieth, 
Twenty-first, Twenty-second and Twenty-third General Assemblies, has 
been called from this life, therefore, 



Be It Resolved, That the Senate has heard with deep sorrow and re¬ 
gret of his death and that it recognizes the high character of his service 
to his state and in his death the state has lost a worthy and noble citizen, 
and, 

Be It Res dived, further, that these resolutions be spread upon the jour¬ 
nal, that an engrossed copy of the same be sent to the family of the de¬ 
ceased. 

W. A. Caldwell, 

T. C. Cessna, 

Jno. R. Price, 

The resolution was adopted unanimously by a rising vote. 

In moving the adoption of the resolution Senator Caldwell spoke 
as follows: 

Judge McCoy was a man who took deep interest in every movement 
for the advancement of the community in which he lived and his assistance 
was rendered in every cause that promoted good citizenship. His interest 
in public affairs was helpful, and in the community in which he lived 
for so many years, his memory is held in deep regard by the multitude 
of friends who knew him and appreciated his worth as a man, soldier, 
legislator, lawyer and public-spirited citizen. 


T. W. BENNETT 

Senator Tuck, from a special committee, offered the following 
report and moved its adoption: 

Mr. President —Your committee appointed to draft resolutions com¬ 
memorative of the life, character and services of Doctor T. W. Bennett, 
beg leave to submit the following report: 

Doctor T. W. Bennett, a member of the Thirty-third and Thirty-fourth 
General Assemblies, 1909-1911, died in Long Beach, California, February 
2, 1920, age sixty-seven, the funeral services taking place on Thursday, 
February 7th, in Lenox, Iowa, in which place he practiced medicine for 
thirty-five years. 

Doctor T. W. Bennett was born December 1, 1852, near the town of 
Crawfordsville, Washington county, Iowa; was educated at the univer¬ 
sity of Iowa, where he studied medicine. Also at the Rush medical college, 
Chicago. While a resident of Lenox, Iowa, he was president of the First 
National Bank and was prominent in civic activities. He served in two 
sessions in the Iowa state legislature. Dr. Bennett was a Mason, Knight 
Templar, and Shriner. He also was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church of which he was an active member. 

Besides a widow, Mrs. Emma Bennett, the decedent is survived by a 

son, Floyd, who resides in Long Beach, Cal. 

♦ • 


— 12 — 



Doctor Bennett was a man of a character than which there was none 
more beautiful or lovable to be found and he leaves a host of friends 
to mourn his loss and extend to the family in their great loss their sin- 
cerest sympathy. 

Whereas , The Honorable Doctor T. W. Bennett, a member of this body 
in the Thirty-third and Thirty-fourth General Assemblies, has been called 
from this life, therefore, 

Be It Resolved , That the Senate has heard with deep sorrow and regret 
of his death and that it recognizes the high character of his service to 
his state and in his death the state has lost a worthy and noble citizen, 
and, 

Be It Further Resolved , That a copy of these resolutions he spread 
upon the journal of the Senate and an engrossed copy of the same be 
sent to the members of his family. 

J. C. Tuck, 

Ed. H. Campbell, 

C. J. Fulton. 

The resolution was adopted unanimously by a rising vote. 

In moving the adoption of the resolution, Senator Tuck spoke 
as follows: 

It was my misfortune not to be acquainted with Doctor Bennett, al¬ 
though he lived but a short way from me. He was one of the pioneers 
of the town of Lenox, and assisted a great deal in its development. I 
have heard from some gentlemen who knew him well, that he was a 
very much respected gentleman, and that he gave a good deal of his 
time for the development of that beautiful little town of Lenox. I was 
told by a gentleman from Lenox a short time ago that he was a char¬ 
acter that everyone loved, and has left a host of friends in and around 
Lenox to mourn his loss. 

Senator Wichman spoke as follows: 

I had the pleasure of an acquaintance with Doctor Bennett, although 
I did not know him while he was a member of the legislature. A few 
years after he retired from the Senate, his health failed, and he went 
to California, while I was there spending two or three months. I was 
living in the same apartment with him, an'd got very well acquainted. 

I think his outstanding characteristic was his love of humanity, and he 
desired at all times to try to help somebody else. We were together a 
good deal, both of us were there with nothing in particular to do, and 
we went around places together, trips to adjoining towns, and he was 
always thinking of somebody else instead of himself. I learned from 
others that where he lived, his: ability as a physician and his desire to 
help others was such, that he simply had to move away in order to get 
away from his practice. His health was failing, and as long as he 


13 


J 


stayed there he could not get away from doing for others more than 
he had the physical strength and power to do; and it was for that rea¬ 
son that he had to go to California. I am sure that the man, from his 
character, and from his ability must have been a most excellent mem¬ 
ber of the Senate. 


JOHN A. GREEN 

Senator Hale, from a special committee, submitted the follow¬ 
ing report and moved its adoption : 

Mk. President —Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions com¬ 
memorative of the life, character and public service of Senator John A. 
Green, late of Jones county, Iowa, beg leave to report the following 
memorial: 

John A. Green was a remarkable man. He was of striking person¬ 
ality, diplomatic, sauve and self confident. For years he was identified 
with the various activities in Jones county, taking part in its politics 
and the current moves of public importance. He headed a large quarry 
industry at Stone City, built up under his shrewd management and clear 
vision. At the time the quarry industry was at its height and cut stone 
was used to large extent in building operations, his plant at that place 
was a hive of industry and he employed a large force of men. He was 
a staunch democrat and during his active years was counseller in the 
conventions and gatherings of that party. In 1892 he was selected state 
senator from the Jones-Cedar district and served one term. Ip 1904 he 
was a democratic congressional candidate in, the fifth Iowa district. 

• 

Mr. Green was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, December 10, 
1844. He came to America and settled at Boston where he attended 
school, in 1852. He learned the trade of a stone cutter and letterer 
and worked at the monumental line for ten years. He came west in 
1865 and lived for a time at Joliet, Illinois. March 7, 1868, he landed 
among the hills west of Anamosa, now known as Stone City, there he 
opened the Champion Quarries and developed a business which grew 
and thrived until a few years ago with extension of the cement industry 
and the use of other grades of stone, the limestone product was no 
longer in demand. 

4 

Mr. Green was a man of generous nature. Mercy hospital at Ana¬ 
mosa was cherished among his thoughts. It was due largely to his lib¬ 
erality that it was first built, and he never lost his interest in the in¬ 
stitution or his desire to do for it. 

The new Catholic church built a few years ago at Stone City received 
his help and his encouragement in the work necessary to plan and make 
its erection possible. 


— 14 — 



Mr. Green was married to Ellen Kane at Joliet in 1875. The wife 
together with the following survive: 9 John A. Green, Jr., of Sioux Falls, 
South Dakota; Robert Green of San Francisco; Mrs. C. M. Cruikshank, 
Montana; Josephine and Agnes Green of Cedar Rapids. 

Now Therefore, Be It Resolved By the Senate of the Thirty-ninth Gen¬ 
eral Assembly of Iowa, that in the death of Senator John A. Green, the 
state and community where he lived have suffered the loss of an in¬ 
fluential and honorable citizen; and 

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon 
the journal of the Senate and that the secretary be directed to send 
an engrossed copy thereof to the family of the deceased. 

J. K. Hale, 

Byron W. Newberry, 

W. G. Haskell, 


What one of you that ever knew a friend 
Or felt his being thrill to friendship’s token 
But would preserve that friendship to the end 
Unbroken 

I sing of one whose brave but kindly heart 
Met fortune good or fortune ill, a-smiling 
The weary way by virtue of that art 
Beguiling 

A Senator so helpful wise and just 
A neighbor kind, his neighbor’s love commanding 
A friend but full response to every trust 
Demanding 

What cared we that his outer husk was rough 
Of fabric fit to fend the world’s crude banter 
When friendship’s fire could melt his sternest stuff 
Instanter 

We are the better that this life was passed 
Within our sphere he has not lost in dying 
On the firm faith that we shall meet at last 
Relying 

We questioned why the bonds grew firm and strong 
With which the fates our hearts to his did tether 
If through to world we might not pass along 
Together 

We’re answered for each severed bond may prove 
A tendril without which our souls might never 
Attain the fullness of that broader love 
Forever. 

The resolution was adopted unanimously by a rising vote. 


— 15 — 


LAURITZ M. ENGER 


Senator Iieed, from a special committee, submitted the follow¬ 
ing report and moved its adoption: 

Mr. President —Your committee, which was appointed to report reso¬ 
lutions commemorating the life, character and services of Lauritz M. 
Enger, beg leave to submP the following report, and move its adoption: 

Lauritz M. Enger was b^n on November 3, 1856, in Norway. At the 
age of fifteen he borrowed enough money to pay his passage to the 
United States and afterward worked upon a farm in order to pay his 
debt. He enjoyed a varied experience as a farm laborer, a clerk, as a 
shoe merchant, and also as a mail clerk in the Decorah post office. It 
was this position that fitted him to enter the employment of the De- 
corah-Posten in their mailing division, where he advanced until he was 
put in charge of it. Subsequently he was employed as an assistant in 
the editorial and business department. While so employed he estab¬ 
lished an insurance business which grew to proportions that demanded 
all of his time. 

In 1910 Mr. Enger aspired to political honors, received the Repub¬ 
lican nomination for representative from his county in the legislature 
and was elected. He was re-elected in 1912; in 1914 was chosen sen¬ 
ator from the Winneshiek-Howard district, and served with distinction 
in the 34th, 35th, 36th and 37th General Assemblies. For several 
years he was secretary of the Winneshiek County Agricultural Society 
and more recently had been secretary of the city school board and 
treasurer and manager of Decorah hospital. He was an active and 
earnest member of the Lutheran church, and also belonged to Det 
Norske Selskab and Symra. 

On February 10, 1880, Mr. Enger was united in marriage with Bertha 
Myran. Mrs. Enger passed away on February 3d last. The deceased 
is survived by his sons, Melvin, a professor in the University of Illinois, 
Norval, of Ephrata, Washington, and Arthur, of El Paso, Texas. Mr. 
Enger died at his home in Decorah, August 2, 1920. 

Your committee recommends that as a fitting recognition of his life, 
the following resolution be adopted: 

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Thirty-Ninth General Assembly 
of Iowa, That in the death of Lauritz M. Enger, the state of Iowa has 
lost a faithful and conscientious citizen; a man whose desire was to so 
live that the world might be better for his having lived; and a man 
whose relations in his home and to his family were such that they will 
be adopted as an ideal for others to follow. 


Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread in 
the journal of the Senate and an engrossed copy of same be sent to the 
members of the family. 


, Respectfully submitted, 

Carl M. Reed, 

John R. Price, 

H. S. Van Alsttne. 

The resolution was adopted unanimously by a rising vote. 
Senator Iloldoegel spoke as follows: 

The president has just extended to me, the opportunity of speaking 
a few words in memory of this distinguished senator, this friend whom 
we remember as one who was always directed by the best of motives 
while serving here. We who served with him in the Senate, those of us 
who were in the Thirty-seventh General Assembly as beginners, were very 
much benefited by his friendship and his advice. Senator Enger was a 
man of clean life, a man of strong personality, a man of self-sacrficing dis¬ 
position, one who put the interests of the state above his own private 
interests, one who did not hesitate to take his own time and expense 
to go into other states to investigate the workings of state institutions 
and manufacturers there, one who was particularly interested that Iowa 
government should be a particularly clean government, one which 
should be divested of all of the things that go to make up questionable 
features of government, one who was always interested in the econom¬ 
ical and just administration of our laws. In fact, we knew Senator 
Enger to be a very fine Christian gentleman, of a sympathetic nature, 
always able to assist new men, always able to devote his energies for 
the benefit of the state. 

Senator Van Alstine spoke as follows: 

I was one of the committee on that report, and I want to say that 
I believe I met Senator Enger at the time he was a member of the 
Thirty-third or Thirty-fourth General Assembly, when I came down here 
with reference to some matter before the legislature, and I was greatly 
impressed when I met Senator Enger with the cordial sympathy which 
he gave to me always, and the conscientious interest which he displayed 
in everything pertaining to everything that he conceived to be for the 
welfare of the state. Then when I came into this body as a novice, it 
was my good fortune to be seated next to Senator Enger, and as sug¬ 
gested by the Senator from Calhoun, his experience in legislative mat¬ 
ters and his kindly attitude and sympathy was a wonderful help to me, 
and a help which came at a time when I needed it. I shall never for¬ 
get the kindly soul that went when Senator Enger took the long journey. 


# 


17 — 


JOHN HENRY SMITH 


Senator Greenell, from a special committee, submitted the follow¬ 
ing report and moved its adoption: 

Mr. President— Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions com¬ 
memorative of the life, character and public.service of Col. John Henry 
Smith, late of Clinton county, Iowa, beg leave to report the following 
memorial: 

Col. John Henry Smith was born in Albany county, New York, March 
19, 1827, and died at his home at Camanche, Iowa, August 26, 1919. 

He was of German ancestry, his grandparents having emigrated to 
America from Germany. His father died when he was a lad, and in 
his early manhood, after completing his education, which he procured 
through his own efforts, he removed to Michigan, then west to Illinois, 
where he learned the trade of a machinist. 

Col. Smith entered the employ of what is now the Chicago & North¬ 
western, and was a locomotive engineer on that line when Dixon, Illi¬ 
nois, was its western terminus. 

In 1851, in the state of Illinois, he was united in marriage with 
Emily P. Cooley, daughter of Thomas and Ann Cooley, natives of Con¬ 
necticut. A year after his marriage he quit railroading, and with his 
wife came to Clinton county and settled on a farm in Center township. 

The death of Col. Smith marks the passing of the last line officer of 
Crocker’s famous fighting brigade, which helped to make history during 
the Civil War. 

It is said of Col. Smith that he literally left his plow in the field 
when Fort Sumpter was fired upon. He recruited a company which be¬ 
came Company A of the Sixteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was 
commissioned as its captain. Later he was promoted to the rank of 
major, and in the course of time became colonel of the regiment, which 
was mustered out after the grand review in Washington at the close of 
the war at which time he commanded the famous regiment of Iowa 
fighting men. 

Col. Smith was captured by the confederates at the battle of Atlanta, 
and confined in several Southern prisons, where he endured great hard¬ 
ships before making his escape with a few of his comrades and rejoin¬ 
ing his command. He was voted a medal by congress for gallant action 
and meritorious services. 

In politics, Col. Smith was a Republican and held several offices of 
trust in his local community. He served as a state senator from the 
Twenty-second Senatorial District, comprised of Clinton county, in the 
Eleventh and Twelfth General Assemblies. 


— 18 — 



Now Therefore, Be It Resolved By the Senate of the Thirty-ninth Gen¬ 
eral Assembly of Iowa, that in the death of Col. John Henry Smith, the 
state and community where he lived, have suffered the loss of an in¬ 
fluential and honorable citizen; and 

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon 
the journal of the Senate and that the secretary be directed to send an 
engrossed copy thereof to the son «of the deceased. 

W. J. Greenell, 

D. W. Kimberly, 

Ciias. M. Dutciier, 

The resolution was adopted unanimously by a rising vote. 


WILLIAM EATON 

Senator Foskett, from a special committee, submitted the follow¬ 
ing report and moved its adoption: 

Mr. President —Your committee which was appointed to report reso¬ 
lutions commemorating the life, character and services of William Eaton 
of Fremont county, beg leave to submit the following report: 

Senator Eaton was an Iowa product. He was born in Lee county, 
October 9, 1849, and died at his home in Sidney, Fremont county, Iowa, 
on December 3, 1920, aged 71 years. 

The early years of his life were spent in Lee county. He was one of 
seven children; and, as his mother was left a widow while he was quite 
young, he early had heavy responsibilities to assume and some quite 
heavy burdens to bear. Nevertheless, he had the desire and found the time 
to attend the public schools of his day and generation and later the 
Denmark academy, from which he graduated in due time. Later he taught 
school and then yielded to the lure of the law profession, graduating 
from the law school of Iowa state university after taking a full course 
there in 1874. 

He was married to Miss Annie E. Grundy of Morrisonville, Ill., August 
4, 1874. To this union three children were born: Edgar, who died in 
infancy, Elmer E. and Mrs. Lillian Gore, both of whom reside in Sidney, 
and who with the widowed wife and mother survive to mourn the loss. 

Immediately after his marriage, Senator Eaton came with his wife 
to Sidney in Fremont county, where he has resided ever since. He at 
once directed his attention to the practice of law and continued in the 
same without intermission until the spring of 1917 when failing health 
made it imperative that he should go to the hospital where he underwent 
a critical operation from which he never fully recovered. His law busi¬ 
ness was one of the most extensive in that part of the state; nevertheless, 
he found time to combine with it the pursuit of farming and the fortunes 


19 — 



of politics. In the latter venture he served as district attorney, two terms 
as county attorney for Fremont county and he represented Page and 
Fremont counties in the 25th, 26th, 26th Extra, 27th and 28th General 
Assemblies. 

• Senator Eaton was a man of pronounced convictions and the moral 
courage to make them known. With him there was no middle ground. If 
an issue were worthy of consideration at all, he was either for or against 
it—for it whole-heartedly, against it the same way. With an eloquence 
possessed by few, he could plead the cause of right and justice in words 
that displayed the very soul of the man, and yet the selfsame tongue was 
capable of flaying wrongdoing with the most withering of sarcasm. In 
the espousal of any cause he threw into it his utmost energy, never lagging 
for a moment until he had seen his efforts bring success. Because of 
these traits his friends were many and they loved the man; his enemies 
were few and even these admired and respected him for the fact was 
traditional that William Eaton always carried his -fight to fair ground. 
Fight he would and vigorously for what he believed to be right, but 
always in the open. There was no stabbing in the back, no thrust in 
the dark. 

After serving his state in the Senate, he returned to the practice of 
law and to the care of his farm, in both of which vocations he was emi¬ 
nently successful. 

A man among men has departed from the scenes of earth and in his 
going is left a void which will be long, very long, in filling. 

Be It Resolved , By the Senate of the 38th General Assembly, that in 
the death of Senator William Eaton the state and county in which he 
resided lost a worthy and upright citizen and an honored statesman, and 
we hereby extend to the bereaved family and friends our sincere sym¬ 
pathy. . • 

Be It Further Resolved , That these resolutions be entered upon the 
Senate journal and a copy sent to his family. 

H. I. Foskett, 

H. J. Mantz, 

Lloyd Thurston. 

The resolution was adopted unanimously by a rising vote. 


SAMUEL A. CONVERSE 

Senator Slosson, from a special committee, submitted the follow¬ 
ing report and moved its adoption: 

Mr. President —Your committee which was appointed to report reso¬ 
lutions commemorating the life, character and services of Samuel A. 
Converse, beg leave to submit the following report and move its adoption: 




Samuel A. Converse, second son of Willard and Hannah White Con¬ 
verse, was born in Marlborough, New Hampshire, January 3, 1843. When 
five years of age he moved with the family to Rock Prairie, W T is., and at 
thirteen to Sumner township, Winneshiek county, Iowa, where his father 
took up government land and the family experienced the varied adven¬ 
tures of pioneer life. In his youth he taught school in the district where 
the family lived. 

In 1867 Mr. Converse was united in marriage with Ellen Munson, who 
survives him. To this union nine children were born, two of them dying 
in infancy. Those living are: Abbie Jane, who remains at home, Judge 
Willard L. of South St. Paul, Myron of Minneapolis, Charles C. of Willis- 
ton, N. D., Mrs. C'. E. Blackorby of Hansboro, N. D., Arthur B. of Cresco 
and Mrs. C. R. Coon of Monticello, Iowa. There are fourteen grand¬ 
children and one great grandchild. Also two sisters survive him, Mrs. 
Lucretia Batchelor of Worcester, Mass., and Mrs. Cynthia Blackburn 
of Cresco. 

In 1880 Mr. Converse moved from his father’s homestead in Winne¬ 
shiek county, building a home two miles farther west in New Oregon 
township, Howard county. Nine years later he bought and moved to 
the farm one mile south of Cresco which was the family home for about 
twelve years, w T hen he built the present home in Cresco, where after a 
brief illness of three days he passed away May 29, 1919, aged 76 years and 
nearly five months. 

Mr. Converse was a close student of public affairs and in an early day 
took a deep interest in the welfare of the agriculturist. In the early 
70’s when the farmers were struggling under the excessive burdens im¬ 
posed by the railroads and other large corporations he was instrumental 
in organizing the Patrons of Husbandry, popularly known as the Grange, 
an organization which was largely responsible for the reform legislation 
of that period designed to curb the power of the railroads and consign 
them to their proper place as servants of the people. One of the notable 
accomplishments of the Grange was the fight waged against the barb¬ 
wire trust which brought suit against farmers all over the state of Iowa 
for alleged infringement of patents, the damages claimed amounting to 
thousands of dollars. The Grange employed Albert B. Cummins, then 
a young lawyer of Des Moines, who won a complete victory in the courts 
for the farmers. 

In 1883 Mr. Converse was elected to the House of the General Assembly 
of Iowa to represent Howard county after a campaign marked by intense 
bitterness, the issue being prohibition and Mr. Converse was an ardent 
advocate of this reform. In the following session of the legislature he was 
one of the leaders in the enactment of the prohibitory law. He was 
re-elected in 1885 and during the following session served as chairman 
of the important committee of ways and means. In 1887 he was elected 
to the state Senate to represent the Howard-Winneshiek district. During 
his term in the Senate the railroad question was forced to the front by 
Governor Larrabee and Mr. Converse was the governor’s champion for 
reform legislation. 


— 21 — 


In about the year 1891 he helped organize the Alliance Mercantile asso¬ 
ciation of Cresco and has been on the board of directors continuously ever 
since, a large part of the time being president of the board. 

In 1893 the First National Bank was established. He was elected its 
first president and served continuously in that position till his death. 

He was a charter member of the Farmers’ Mutual Insurance Association 
of Cresco and served on the board of directors. He also was a director 
of the Iowa Mutual Tornado Insurance Association of Des Moines. 

Immediately following the wheat failures in the late 70’s Mr. Converse 
perceived the necessity for a change of farming methods and he began 
to work into the live stock industry. In 1883 he shipped from New York 
state a couple of red polled calves and this was the foundation of his 
great herd which became the largest in America of that breed. In 1887 
he made a trip to England to make purchase of red polled stock which 
he brought to his Howard county farm. He made one other trip across 
the water and made three importations in all. His show herd was ex¬ 
hibited at the various state fairs in the middle west and several times 
at the fat stock show in Chicago, always winning prizes. He served as 
treasurer of the Red Polled Cattle Club of America. 

In addition to the various private activities in which he was engaged 
he was repeatedly called upon for public service. As chairman of the 
liberty loan committee for Howard county he directed the campaign for 
the five loans. 

In an early day he acted as justice of the peace and the community 
being almost entirely Bohemian, he mastered that language in order to 
better serve those who had business with his office. He came finally to 
be regarded as a peacemaker in the neighborhood and many and varied 
were the troubles presented to him for adjudication. 

During the past 50 years there- was scarcely a time when he did not 
have one or more estates to administer and these matters were always 
handled with the same care and fidelity which he gave to his own affairs. 
At the recent term of the district court the last estate with which he was 
connected was settled up and a final report made. 

His keen foresight, sound judgment and strict integrity made him a 
wise and safe counselor and his advice was sought frequently by friends 
and business associates. He was always ready to render assistance to the 
needy and to comfort those in distress, thus exemplifying the principles 
of the Odd Fellows’ lodge of whch he was a faithful member. His in¬ 
finite patience, kindly manner and even temper endeared him to his 
family and friends. 

He always looked forward because he had faith in the future; and 
this kept him in touch with the new issues continually arising and ex¬ 
plains the quite remarkable fact that while he was considerably past the 
. age of three score and ten he still had a clear grasp of present-day prob- 


lems and was an active participant in public affairs up to the last.* He 
occupied a large place in the community life; one that will be hard to fill. 

Samuel A. Converse was a man whose great interest was in his family 
and in the community of which he was a part; a man whose great desire 
was that his efforts should result in the improvement of the conditions 
in both his local community and in the state; he was not interested in 
making a name that should be heralded from the house-tops; but did his 
work in an unostentatious manner and without playing to the galleries. 

Be It Resolved, By the Senate of the Thirty-ninth General Assembly 
of Iowa, that in the death of Samuel A. Converse his family has lost a 
kind and loving husband; the community in which he lived has 
lost a kind neighbor and good citizen; and the state has lost one of its 
valuable men. 

Be It Also Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread in the 
journal of the Senate, and an engrossed copy of the same be sent to the 
members of the family. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Carl W. Reed, 

B. W. Newberry, 

John R. Price. 

The resolution was adopted unanimously by a rising vote. 


JOHN L. BLEAKLY 

Senator Stoddard, from a special committee, submitted the fol¬ 
lowing report and moved its adoption: 

Mr. President —Your committee appointed to draft resolutions com¬ 
memorative of the life, character and services of John L. Blea.kly, beg 
leave to submit the following report: 

John L. Bleakly, a member of the Thirtieth, Thirty-first and Thirty- 
second General Assemblies, also the special session of the Thirty-second 
General Assembly, died in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 17, 1920, at the age 
of sixty-three years. 

Mr. Bleakly was born in Fermanagh county, Ireland, on February 
17, 1857, and came with his parents to America in 1863. His boyhood 
days were spent on a farm in Illinois. In 1873 he came with his parents 
to Linn county, Iowa, where he grew to manhood. He attended school 
in Linn county, and at the Cedar Rapids Business college, and engaged 
in teaching for several years after his graduation from the latter in¬ 
stitution. He moved to Ida Grove, Iowa, in 1882, and was a clerk in a 
bank there for three years. He then entered the mercantile business, 
retiring in 1900. 


— 23 — 



He was elected state senator and served in three General Assemblies 
and was elected to the office of state auditor in 1909, and after completing 
three terms in this office, he retired, and organized the Iowa National 
Fire Insurance Company, at whose head he remained until his death. 
He was also president of the Des Moines Building & Loan Association, 
and president of the Pyramid Portland Cement company. He was a mem¬ 
ber of the Baltimore General Conference, as a member of the Methodist 
church, in 1908. 

Mr. Bleakly is survived by his wife, and his four children: Homer 
Leslie, John Jr., Madge and Bessie, and four brothers and one sister, 
namely: Christie Bleakly of Ida county; Louis and Andrew Bleakly of 
Long Beach, Cal. Robert Bleakly of Storm Lake, and Mrs. La Grange 
of Marion, Iowa. 

Mr. Bleakly was a man who accomplished much in his lifetime. His 
transactions were the soul of honor and he was unreservedly trusted and 
loved by all. He was a pillar of influence in the church, not only locally, 
but over the state of Iowa. 

Whereas, the Honorable John L. Bleakly, a member of this body in the 
Thirtieth, Thirty-first and Thirty-second General Assemblies, has been 
called from this life, therefore, 

Be It Resolved, That the Senate has heard with deep sorrow and re¬ 
gret of his death and that it recognizes the high character of his service 
to this state and in his death the state has lost a worthy and noble citizen, 
and, 

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread 
upon the journal of the Senate and an engrossed copy of the same be 
sent to the members of his family. 

Ed. H. Campbell, 

M. B. Pitt, 

B. M. Stoddard. 

The resolution was adopted unanimously by a rising vote. 
Senator Newberry spoke as follows: 

I am perhaps the only one of the members of this Senate who was 
acquainted with Senator Bleakly. He and I entered the Senate the same 
day, in the Thirtieth General Assembly. I have occupied the same seat 
the six sessions I have been in the Senate and Senator Bleakly occupied 
the . seat now occupied by Senator Browne, just in front of my seat. We 
became very intimately acquainted. He was a splendid man, of high and 
active nature. After serving in the Senate, he became a candidate for 
state auditor, was elected and served in this capacity for six years. He 
made a splendid record as auditor, then engaged in the insurance busi¬ 
ness and was in the harness at the time of his death. It was certainly 
a great pleasure to me to have known him, and to have served with him 
in this Senate. He was a splendid man in every respect. 


— 24 — 


HON. JOHN EVERALL 


Senator Newberry, from a special committee, submitted the fol¬ 
lowing report and moved its adoption: 

Mu. President —Your committee which was appointed to report reso¬ 
lutions commemorating the life, character and services of the Honorable 
John Everall of Clayton county, deceased, heg leave to report the follow¬ 
ing and hereby move the adoption of the report: 

John Everall, son of Richard and Elizabeth (Liversage) Everall, was 
born in Shropshire, England, on April 20, 1839, and died at his home in 
Monona, Iowa, May 17, 1920. 

Mr. Everall came with his father’s family from England and settled 
on a farm in Farmersburg township, Clayton county, Iowa, in the year 
1851, which county was his residence continuously up to the time of his 
death. 

John Everall gained his rudimentary education in his native land and 
supplemented this by attending the pioneer schools of Clayton county 
as well as by individual application, which with his natural studious 
tendencies, effectively broadened .his intellectual horizon. He gained 
in his youth a close fellowship with the work of the pioneer farm of 
his father and during the many years of his active career he continued 
a close allegiance to the basic industry of agriculture, through the 
medium of which he gained substantial success. 

He was one of the prominent and influential citizens of Clayton 
county. In 1858 to 1862 he was a successful teacher in the schools of 
the county. 

In August 1862 he enlisted as a private in Company E, 2 7th Iowa 
Volunteers Infantry, with which he participated in the many engage¬ 
ments that marked the record of this gallant Iowa regiment. He was 
wounded in action in 1864 but was not long incapacitated for service. 
He rose from private to first lieutenant, in which rank he received an 
honorable discharge in June, 1865. 

After the war, Mr. Everall resumed his association with farming in 
Clayton county and on October 25, 1865 at Farmersburg he was married 
to Miss Vallonia Renshaw. To this union seven children were born. 
Richard, the first born, died in early childhood. John Jr., who was a 
successful lawyer at St. Paul, died at the home of his parents in De¬ 
cember, 1919. Dr. George L., a representative physician and surgeon 
at Clinton, Iowa, died at the home of his parents in December, 1910. 
Dr. Bruce B. is a practicing physician at Monona, Iowa. Dr. Benton C. 
is a practicing physician at Waterloo, Iowa. Miss Martha and Miss 
Bessie, who are prominent in educational work, reside at Monona, Iowa, 
caring for their mother who has long been an invalid. 


25 — 


Retiring from the farm in 1906, Mr. Everall and family took up 
their residence in the village of Farmersburg, where Mr. Everall be¬ 
came the president of the Farmersburg Savings Bank, which position he 
held at the time of his death. In 1919, he with his family moved to 
Monona where they made their home. 

Mr. Everall was a prominent member of the G. A. R. and for fifty 
years affiliated with the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Everall was politically 
a democrat of the conservative order. He filled by election nearly all 
the township offices; four years county superintendent of schools; six 
years county auditor; and eight years state senator from the 36th 
District in the 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th General Assemblies. In every 
public position to which he had been called, he proved a faithful, loyal 
and efficient incumbent, filling the same in an able and satisfactory 
manner. 

John Everall was a good man, an honest upright citizen, neighbor 
and friend. He was one of God’s noblemen, the very type of true man¬ 
hood, he aimed to be just to his fellowmen, to treat all with whom 
he came in contact with due consideration. He never once entertained 
a feeling of animosity against a friend or a neighbor. On the contrary, 
his hand always reached out in recognition of worth, surely there was 
goodness in the heart beat of every man. His geniality and kindly 
sympathetic nature made him a beloved companion everywhere. A true 
man and a noble citizen of our state has gone to his reward. 

Therefore, Be It Resolved , That in the death of John Everall, the state 
and the county, in which he resided, have lost a true, upright citizen, 
a valiant soldier, an honest, able, fearless man, whose life was one of 
worthy service. 

Be It Resolved, That this Senate extend to his family its sincere sym¬ 
pathy in their great bereavement, and 

Be It Further Resolved, That these resolutions be printed in the Senate 
journal and the secretary of the Senate be directed to forward an en¬ 
grossed copy to his bereaved wife, Mrs. Vallonia Everall, and family at 
Monona, Iowa. 

Byron W. Newberry, 

Chester W. Whitmore, 

B. J. Horciiem. 

The resolution was adopted unanimously, by rising vote. 


HON. FRANK D. BAYLESS 

Senator Newberry from a special committee, submitted the fol¬ 
lowing report and moved its adoption: 


— 26 — 



Mr. President —Your committee appointed to draft resolutions com¬ 
memorative of the life and services of Honorable Frank D. Bayloss, de¬ 
ceased, beg leave to submit the following report: 

Frank Davis Bayless, son of Mills S. and Elizabeth A. (Reed) Bayless, 
was born in Pendleton, Madison county, Indiana, October 9, IS40, and 
died in California, March 6, 1920, in his eightieth year. 

>k 

He came west with his mother, a younger brother and two younger 
sisters in 1853, and in 1855 moved with the family to Dodge county, 
Minnesota, where he assisted on the farm until the fall of 1856, when he 
returned to Indiana and attended high school for two years. In 1858, 
he returned to Minnesota, where he was occupied with farming, teach¬ 
ing and the study .of medicine until the breaking out of the Civil War. 
He promptly enlisted at the call of his country in the Second Minnesota 
Infantry in 1861, and served creditably in the Kentucky and Tennessee 
campaigns, but his health becoming impaired, he received an honorable 
discharge and returned to Minnesota. 

On February 5, 1863, he was married to Miss Harriet Dresser at 
Concord, Minnesota. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bayless, 
of whom his sons, John R. Bayless and Fred Bayless survive. 

With returning health Mr. Bayless was not content to remain at 
home while his country was still in danger, so in the winter of 1864, he 
reenlisted in the Third Minnesota Infantry. For a time he was as¬ 
signed to the recruiting service and in April, 1864, joined his regiment 
in Arkansas with over two hundred recruits. Soon afterwards his 
knowledge of medicine and drugs caused his assignment to the medical 
department where he served faithfully until the close of the war, receiv¬ 
ing his final discharge September 21, 1865. 

During the winter of 1865-1866, he was employed as a clerk in a drug 
store in Manterville, Minn. In 1866, he moved to Elkader, Iowa, and 
engaged in the business of druggist and conducted a drug store at that 
place for many years where he built up a large and profitable business. 

Mr. Bayless was always a man of constructive ideas and used his efforts 
and means for the permanent growth and improvement of the localities 
where he was interested. In 1897, he built the Hotel Bayless in Elkader, 
one of the best hotels in northeastern Iowa, which remains a monument 
to his memory. He helped to finance and build the Congregational church 
in his home town and later presented it with a pipe organ. He was one 
df the organizers of the present State Bank of Elkader. He helped to 
finance and start the Elkader Register in 1878, one of the leading papers 
in the county. About the last of his business ventures was the taking 
over of a small sanitarium at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and the start¬ 
ing of the new sanitarium at that place, and the vision of its future 
possibilities has been fully justified by' the successful realization of later 
years. 


— 27 — 


Always active for the welfare and advancement of the community he 
gave freely of his time and means to its interests. He was a member 
of the school board continuously for twenty-four years, and of the town 
council for a long time. 

Mr. Bayless was a staunch democrat and intensely interested in politi¬ 
cal affairs, wielding a large influence in county and state politics. 

He served as senator from the 36th district in the 20th, 21st, 22d, and 
23d General Assemblies, and w T as one of the leading members of the 
Senate. 

Mr. Bayless retired from active business some years ago and has 
since lived in Chicago and for some time in a sanitarium in southern 
California, where he died. His remains were brought to his old home 
and interred in the family lot in the Elkader cemetery. 

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That the Senate has heard with sorrow and 
regret of the death of the Honorable Frank D. Bayless, and it recog¬ 
nizes the worthy services he rendered the state during the four sessions 
he was a member of this body, and hereby extends to the bereaved rela¬ 
tives and friends its sincere sympathy. 

Be It Further Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon 
the records of this Senate and that the same be engrossed and a copy sent 
to his surviving son, John R. Bayless, at Elkader, Iowa. 

Byron W. Newberry, 

Geo. S. Hartman, 

W. H. Scott. 

The resolution was adopted unanimously by a rising vote. 


HIRAM C. BISHOP 

Senator Newberry, from a special committee submitted the fol¬ 
lowing report and moved its adoption: 

Mr. President —Your committee appointed to draft resolutions in com¬ 
memoration of the life and public services of the Honorable Hiram C. 
Bishop, deceased, beg leave to submit the following report: 

Hiram Crusan Bishop, son of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin P. Bishop, was 
born on a farm near West Union, Iowa, March 10, 1852, and died in a hos¬ 
pital at St. Paul, Minn., March 22, 1921, following a surgical operation for 
cancer of the stomach. 

Mr. Bishop was one of a family of twelve children. He was educated 
in the rural schools and afterward attended Ainsworth Academy at West 
Union and Upper Iowa University at .Fayette. 

He took up the teaching profession, first in Fayette county and after¬ 
ward in Clayton county. He served as county superintendent of schools 
in Clayton county from 1888 to 1894. 



In 1893 Mr. Bishop started the publication of the Clayton county Demo¬ 
crat at Elkader and was continuously its editor and publisher up to the 
time of his death. He had strong decided views and the courage to ex¬ 
press them. 

He was in politics a staunch adherent of the democratic party and a 
vigorous exponent of his party’s principles. 

He was a member of the Senate from the 36th district in the 28th and 
29th General Assemblies. 

He was married on June 14, 1882 to Miss Emma Kern of Elgin, Iowa. 
Four children were born to this union, viz: 

Arthur C. Bishop of Bloomington, Wis.; Max B. Bishop of Elkader, 
Iowa; Clint G. Bishop of Shelby, Mont.; and Miss Ruth Bishop, who is 
a teacher at Nora Springs, Iowa; who with the widow, mourn the loss of 
a devoted husband and an indulgent father. 

Mr. Bishop was a member of the Universalist church and of the 
Brotherhood of American Woodmen, the Knights of Pythias and the 
Modern Woodmen of America. 

For many years Mr. Bishop was one of the prominent and best known 
citizens of his county. He was a man of strong convictions and positive 
views, and active in the support of what he thought was right. He was 
a man of clean habits and high moral character and a strong espouser 
of the home, the school, and better government. 

Therefore, Be It Resolved , That his family has lost a kind husband 
and a loving father; his community a worthy member; and the state a 
fearless and patriotic citizen. 

Be It Farther Resolved , That a copy of these resolutions be printed in 
the journal of the Senate and that the secretary of the Senate be directed 
to forward &\n. engrossed copy to the family of the deceased. 

Byron W. Newberry, 

J. M. Slosson, 

F.' E. Thompson. 

The resolution', was adopted unanimously by a rising vote. 

On motion of Senator Stoddard the memorial session was ad¬ 
journed. 




IN MEMORIAM 


House of Representatives 


Memorials adopted by the House of Representatives of the 
Thirty-ninth General Assembly regarding departed members: 


Hanson B. Watters. 


9, 

1840-Jan. 

15, 

1920 

Monias E. Bitterman. 


16, 

1843-Dec. 

23, 

1919 

James Wilson . 


16,1835-Aug. 

26, 

1920 

Chas. E. Boies. 


15, 

1859 



George H. Dunkleberg.. 

.Oct. 

2, 

1853-Dec. 

12, 

1919 

Henry B. Kling. 


23, 

1845 



John Franklin Glover. 


16, 

1845 



Norman Densmore . 


19, 

1829-April 

11, 

1920 

Gamaliel Jaqua . 


30, 

1828-Dec. 

23, 

1919 

Charles F. Linnan. 


17, 

1867-May 

31, 

1919 

John Shambaugh . 


13, 

1848 



George R. Struble.. 

. July 

25, 

1836-Dec. 

15, 1918 

Lauritz Enger. 


3, 

1856-Aug. 

2, 

1920 

F. F. Roe. 


18, 

1832- Jan. 

5, 

1920 

Simon Miller . 


5, 

1861-April 

22, 

1920 

Mahlon Head . 


12, 

1835 



George Lovell Gilbert . 


19, 

1856-May 

13, 

1919 

Malcolm Forman McNie . 


27, 

1848-Dec. 

16, 

1920 

Willard Chauncey Earle. 


7, 

1833-Feb. 

10. 

1920 

George M. Curtis . 


10, 

1841-Feb. 

9, 

1921 

Luther Brown ... 


10, 

1838-Jan. 

19, 

1921 

David Orland Stone . 


25, 

1864-Feb. 

18, 

1921 

A. C. Reck. 


3, 

1834-Mar. 

31, 

1921 

Francis Gray Clark. 


17, 

1838 



George W. Ball. 


6, 

1848-Mar. 

14, 

1920 


■i 


mm 


mm 






























JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE 


MEMORIALS 


HON. HANSON B. WATTERS 

Mr. Speaker— Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions com-* 
memorating the life and services of the Honorable Hanson B. Wat¬ 
ters, late of Muscatine county, Iowa, beg leave to report the following 
memorial: 

Honorable Hanson B. Watters, who represented Muscatine county in 
the Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth and Twenty-sixth Extra, General 
Assemblies, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, December 9th, 1840. He 
was the son of Dr. and Mrs. William W. Watters and early in the year 
1851, when a boy of but eleven years of age, he came with his parents 
to Iowa and settled in Goshen township, Muscatine county. He grew 
to manhood’s estate and received his education in the public schools 
of that vicinity. Later he attended the Western college at Western, 
Iowa, taking a collegiate course in that institution. 

At the breaking out of the civil war, like so many patriotic sons of 
America, promptly enlisted in Company B., Second Iowa Cavalry. This 
was in August of 1861 and for three years, the period of his enlist¬ 
ment, he served faithfully and well in the defense of his country. At 
the expiration of his period of three years enlistment he again enlisted 
in the same company and served in it until after the war was over, 
being mustered out of service in September, 1865, thus giving to his 
country four years out of the best years of his young manhood. 

He fought in many engagements of the war and at the battle of 
Coffeeville, Mississippi, he was severely wounded but after recovering 
from this wound rejoined his regiment. Upon being mustered out of 
service in September he immediately returned to his home in Musca¬ 
tine county and took up the duties of civil life engaging in the occu¬ 
pation of farming. 

In December, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Ruth H. 
Parker. To this union were born five sons, Allen P. Watters of Oak¬ 
land, California; William L. Watters of West Liberty, Iowa; George 
Stanley Watters who lost his life by drowning at Ames, Iowa, in 1899; 
Henry Bertram Watters of Springfield, Ohio, and Vernon G. Watters 
of Savannah, Georgia. 


—32 





Mr. and Mrs. Watters continued to reside on the farm until 1899 
when they moved to West Liberty, Iowa, and made that place their 
home. Mr. Watters was a true American citizen and as such he took 
an active interest in public affairs and was affiliated with the Republi¬ 
can party and advocated the principles of that party giving consci¬ 
entious support to these principles through the trying days of recon¬ 
struction and the placing of the nation on a sound financial basis that 
led to the marvelous prosperity of the years that followed. 

In 1892 he was elected to the House of Representatives and served 
in this and the succeeding two General Assemblies. He represented 
his district with a large degree of fidelity giving to his duties that con¬ 
scientious consideration that characterized his public services through¬ 
out life. 

He was an active member of Silas Jackson Post, G. A. R. of West 
Liberty and a member of Mt. Calvary Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He 
passed from this life on June 15th, 1920, at the age of 79 years, 6 months 
and 6 days. 

Therefore Be It Resolved, That the House of Representatives take 
this occasion to present this tribute to the memory of a faihful public 
servant and to express appreciation of his character and public service 
and to extend to his family and relatives most sincere sympathy. 

Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be printed in the journal of 
the House and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward to the family 
of the deceased an engrossed copy. 

J. H. Van Camp. 

J. H. Mayne. 

John Bradley. 

Committee. 

Adopted March 23, 1921. 


HON. MONIAS E. BITTERMAN 

Mr. Speaker— Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions com¬ 
memorating the life and work of the Hon. Monias E. Bitterman, late of 
Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, beg leave to report the following memorial: 

Hon. Monias E. Bitterman who represented Cerro Gordo county in 
the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth General Assemblies, was born in 
Canton, Ohio, August 16th, 1843, and died at Nora Springs, Iowa, De¬ 
cember 23, 1919, aged seventy six years. He was left fatherless when 
quite young. After some years his mother married Samuel Spotts and 
when he was sixteen years of age the family moved to the vicinity 
of Joliet, Illinois. Here he worked on the farm until he became of 
age and here he was married January 14, 1866, to Sarah Heintzleman 
with whom he lived almost fifty-four years. 

To them were born six children; J. C. of Madison, Wisconsin; E. L. 
and Mrs. Jennie Allen of Nora Springs; Mrs. Truly Schulte of New 


— 33 — 



Hampton; Mrs. Mamie Forbes of North Platte, Nebraska, and M. C-, 
who lives on the old homestead in Portland township. There are also 
ten grandchildren, a great grandchild, little Bonnie Bell Brim, a half 
brother, A. L. Spotts and a half sister, Mrs. Mary Hendrickson, sur¬ 
vive him One brother Calvin died in infancy. 

Shortly after his marriage he made a trip to this part of Iowa and 
was so favorably impressed with the country that he moved here with 
his wife and two sons, J. C. and E. L., in 1870, locating on a piece of 
land three miles west of Nora Springs and living on it continuously for 
almost fifty years, until his retirement from active farming, when he 
moved to Nora Springs, where he died. 

The span of Mr. Bittermans’ life covers a period of the development 
of the middle west, and for more than fifty years that he lived in this 
neighborhood witnessed the change from an almost unbroken expanse 
of prairie sod to the present condition of thoroughly cultivated and im¬ 
proved farms. 

From the first he took active part in the public affairs of Portland 
township and Cerro Gordo county. He was treasurer of the school 
board for more than thirty years and a director for many years. As 
township trustee and as road superintendent he helped to develop 
his home neighborhood. In all his public work he stood for progress 
and good government and a careful and wise expenditure of public 
money. He had an extensive acquaintance over the county and among 
public men in the state. He was a good citizen. As a neighbor he 
was helpful, kind, considerate and just and his word was good. In 
time of trouble he could be depended upon to help generously. His 
home life was pure and he had the love and affection of his family. 

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That in the death of Monias E. Bitterman 
the state has lost one of its sturdy pioneers who contributed his best 
endeavors in helping to lay the foundation of this great common¬ 
wealth; the county among whose people he lived and wrought so many 
years has lost a conspicuous exponent of the higher concepts of life 
and character, and his home community is bereft of a safe counselor 
and advisor. 

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be printed in the journal of 
the House and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward to the fam¬ 
ily of the deceased an engrossed copy. 

J. H. McGhee, 

J. H. Anderson, 

W. C. Edson, 

Committee. 

Adopted March 23, 1921. 


— 34 — 


HON. JAMES WILSON 


Mr. Speaker —Your committee appointed to draft resolutions, con¬ 
cerning the life and public service of the Hon. James Wilson of Traer, 
Tama county, Iowa, an honorable member of the House of Representa¬ 
tives of the 12th, 13th and 14th General Assemblies, beg leave to sub¬ 
mit the following report: 

James Wilson was born in a farm in Ayrshire, Scotland, August 16, 
1835. He was the son of John and Jean Wilson. His father was a 
thrifty and intelligent producer of livestock, butter and milk. Believ¬ 
ing himself fitted for larger opportunities, John Wilson brought his 
family to America in 1852, settling first in Connecticut. The family 
moved to Perry township, Tama county, in 1855, having saved money 
during the four years’ stay in Connecticut sufficient to enter a half 
section of land. 

James Wilson worked for his uncle, West Wilson in the summer and 
attended school in the winter. He hired to Stephen Klingaman to run 
his sawmill and sawed logs to build many of the houses and fences 
of north Tama in the two succeeding years. He also worked on a farm 
for Elijah Guernsey, of Geneseo, during the summer of 1860. 

Mr. Wilson, in the days of his youth as well as throughout his life, 
was a great student. The late G. Jaqua, who knew Tama Jim from the 
time he arrived in north Tama in 1855, once wrote of him in the Star- 
Clipper: ‘He loved to read, and few books or periodicals passed within 
his reach but what he eagerly devoured. Jim’s employer was post¬ 
master of the new settlement of Wolf Creek, and it is said that no 
paper or periodical ever lay in that office three days without his know¬ 
ing all ttoat was in it. He had a most capacious mind for knowledge. 
Once he went to school to us a few months, and what a student he was. 
When he got seated for study, so intent was he on his lesson that had 
an earthquake come he would not have known it. After that winter 
he went to Iowa college a year or two and then graduated between the 
plow handles. At this time he could turn an eighty rod furrow as 
straight as a line, could repeat at least half of Burns’ poems or could 
make a speech on the political issues of the day, that would do credit 
to those of mature age.” 

When the Civil War began, Mr. Wilson and his brother Peter had 
started farming on their own account. They had become of age—men of 
maturity, and recognized the claims of the government on their services. 
They formed a co-partnership to exist during the war, a common ar¬ 
rangement among brothers at that time. One would enlist and the 
other would remain to look after home affairs. When the war would 
end an equal division would be made. This arrangement was carried 
out. Peter, being the stronger, enlisted, first serving as private, then 
corporal and then sergeant. The two owned eighty acres of land be¬ 
tween them. When they divided, a year after the war was closed, 
there was a half section of land, and all the hogs, cattle and horses 


■ 35 — 


it would maintain, to divide. While Mr. Wilson was adding the three 
eighties and the stock, he was attracting the attention of his towns¬ 
men, and one day in September, 1864, at the home of Daniel Con¬ 
nell, the plan was formed to make Mr. Wilson a member of the Board 
of Supervisors, and it was successful. He was elected in October, serv¬ 
ing a term of 1865-66. 

Mr. Wilson was elected to the 12th, 13th and 14th General Assem¬ 
blies as a member from Tama county, where he served with distinc¬ 
tion and honor to himself and his country. In passing, it is interest¬ 
ing to note that during Mr. Wilson’s terms in the General Assemblies, 
he acquired the appellation of “Tama Jim” to distinguish him from 
another James Wilson who was also a member at that time, and it was 
by that title that he was best known to all who loved and honored him. 
He was unanimously elected speaker of the 14th General Assembly. 
He was elected to the forty-third and the forty-fourth congresses and 
took an active part in securing legislation reducing the cost of trans¬ 
portation of Iowa produces eastward and in the regulation of Inter¬ 
state Commerce. He was considered an authority on Parliamentary 
Law during his two terms in Congress. 

At the expiration of his term of service, Mr. Wilson returned to 
his farm near Traer, where his family had continued to reside. He 
was appointed a member of the State Railroad Commission by Governor 
Sherman in 1882, and served eleven months in that capacity. Many 
important conclusions were reached during that period. 

Mr. Wilson enjoyed the distinction of being the first farmer to go to 
Congress from Iowa. 

After his service in Congress, Mr. Wilson took up agricultural writ¬ 
ing. Later he became a regent of the Iowa State University and in 
1891 he was elected to the chair of practical agriculture in the Iowa 
State College of Agriculture at Ames and director of the state ex¬ 
periment station. He then became the greatest instrumentality for 
building up agriculture pursuits that Iowa ever had. 

It was in February, 1897, that he received word of his appointment 
by President McKinley to the cabinet portfolio of secretary of agri¬ 
culture, taking up the duties of that office in March of that year. 

When Mr. Wilson took office, the agricultural development of the 
country was already remarkable, but in the years during which he was 
at the helm of its interests, so far as the federal government was 
concerned, this development was increased far beyond the boundaries of 
natural promise which mere land and work afforded. 

Mr. Wilson obtained on the merits of one achievement after another, 
until it became a universal belief among the farmers that the depart¬ 
ment of agriculture was working with a single minded purpose for 
their benefits. 


— 36 — 


In the management of the department of agriculture, he began with 
two cardinal rules; first, to find the best markets for the products of 
the farm; second, to induce and teach the farmers to raise the very 
best examples of the articles that the markets wanted. 

Through his efforts and ability, the portfolio of the secretary of ag¬ 
riculture developed from one of minor consideration to one of the most 
important in the cabinet. 

He was especially active in seeking new plants for this country and 
in plp,nt improvement. He is credited with re-establishing the Morgan 
breed of horses, obtaining a crop of 60,000,000 bushels of African durum 
wheat, the introduction of new varieties of rice for the south, the in¬ 
troduction of new varieties of alfalfa from Arabia, Sahara, Chili, 
Turkestan and Peru, as well as new fruits and vegetables. 

He saw the agricultural balance of trade increase from $234,000,000 
to $425,000,000. 

Mr. Wilson was head of the department of agriculture for sixteen 
years. His long' service in the cabinet constituted an unparallelled 
record. Pie served under three presidents, McKinley, Roosevelt and 
Taft. 

Mr. Wilson retired from office on the 4th of March, 1913, when 
Woodrow Wilson replaced Mr. Taft as President. On March 6, on the 
eve of his departure from • Washington, 2500 employes of the depart¬ 
ment of agriculture tendered Tama Jim a great reception. For two 
hours he stood in the National Coliseum and received the good wishes 
of his employes, many of whom had worked under him throughout 
the sixteen years. In the presence of Secretary of State Bryan and 
Secretary of Agriculture Houston, they presented him with a life size 
bronze bust of himself, a replica of which was placed in the depart¬ 
ment. The bronze bust is now the property of Traer and is in the 
public library there. 

A great homecoming for Secretary Wilson was arranged on his re¬ 
turn to Iowa and was held at Ames. There was a big reception, pa¬ 
rade and banquet. The banquet was given in the college gymnasium. 
Addresses were delivered by Mr. Wilson, Governor Clarke and others.' 
It is estimated that the home folks who took part in this reception, 
numbered more than 4000 people. Tama Jim then returned to Traer 
with the intention of spending most of the remainder of his life among 
his children, relatives and old friends, but in June he accepted the ap¬ 
pointment of Governor Clarke to be one of a commission of Iowa to 
go to Europe to study agricultural conditions of interest and profit 
to the Iowa farmer. He was accompanied on this trip by Henry Wal¬ 
lace, of Wallace’s Farmer, his life long friend. They spent most of 
the time in the British Isles and Mr. Wilson visited his native land 
for the first time. He was abroad about two months. 


— 37 — 


Tama Jim was active in public service until the last two years of 
his life when health and strength failed. 

During his cabinet service and later he was honored by several 
colleges and universities by being awarded the honorary degree of L. 
L. D. Among the schools to so honor him were the University of 
Wisconsin, University of Missouri, Cornell College and McGill university. 
In all, he received L. L. D’s from eighteen American universities. He 
also was given L. L. D. by the university of Edinburgh. Andrew Car¬ 
negie, Rufus Choats and Mr. Wilson are the only Americans thus rec¬ 
ognized by the Edinburgh university. Two humorists, Mark Twain 
and the actor, Joe Jefferson, were intimate friends of Mr. Wilson. 

Throughout all his busy public career, Tama Jim never lost interest in 
affairs at home. He loved his home community. He was always asso¬ 
ciated with many Traer activities. He held membership in the Tran¬ 
quillity church and was a faithful attendant when at home. Years 
ago when Traer had a fair, he was active in the management. He was 
president of the association several years. For many years, he was 
president of the First National Bank, including the years he spent 
in the cabinet in Washington. 

Tama Jim was an able platform speaker and was continually in de¬ 
mand for addresses. He addressed conventions of associations of var¬ 
ious kinds and stumped the country for Republican candidates during 
presidential and state campaigns. He was shrewd in politics. He 
could travel over Iowa and* forecast the election results the most ac¬ 
curately of any man we ever knew. For thirty years it was his lot to 
close the campaign by a speech in Traer the night before election. In 
this practice honors were bestowed on both sides. He felt honored by 
being invited to speak, his friends felt honored in being able to hear 
him. He deeply appreciated the courtesy. 

Mr. Wilson was married on May 7, 1863, to Miss Esther Wilbur, of 
Buckingham. Six children were born to the couple all of whom were 
living at the time of his death. They were as follows: Ward and 
Peter, who occupied the home farm three miles west of Traer; James 
W., of Brookings, S. D., a professor in the South Dakota Agricultural 
College; Miss Flora, Washington, D. C.; Jasper and Wright, living near 
Traer. 

The five sons and Sherd Wilson, a nephew, served as pall bearers, as 
was the wish of Mr. Wilson. Burial was in the Buckingham cemetery, 
Tama county. 

Whereas, The Honorable James Wilson, was called from this life, 
August 26, 1920, therefore, 

Be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives has heard with 
deep sorrow and regret of his death and that it recognizes the high 
character of his service to his state and nation and in his death, the 
state and nation has lost a worthy and noble ciizen, and, 


— 38 — 


Be It Resolved Further, That these resolutions be spread upon the 
journal, that engrossed copies of the same be sent to the members of 
his family. 

F. W. Ingersoll, 

F. B. Gilbert, 

James S. Francis, 

Committee. 


HON. JAMES WILSON 

Be It Resolved, That in the passing of Honorable James Wilson, 
late of Tama county, the state has Tost one of its most illustrious citi¬ 
zens. His service as a member of this House in the Twelfth, Thirteenth, 
and Fourteenth General Assemblies, and his entire public career cul¬ 
minating in sixteen years’ service as secretary of agriculture in the cab¬ 
inets of Presidents McKinley, Roosevelt and Taft, mark him as a man 
of unusual intellectual power, and of the highest ideals of public serv¬ 
ice. His deeds reflect honor upon his name, and Iowa cherishes his 
memory among the best beloved of her sons. 

F. W. Ingersoll. 

Adopted March 23, 1921. 


HON. CHARLES E. BOIES 

Charles E. Boies was born on a farm in Boone county, Illinois, Jan¬ 
uary 15, 1859, and at the age of fourteen came with the family to Iowa, 
where he settled on a farm. 

January 26, 1880, he was united in marriage to Miss Clara I. Miller, 
with whom he lived in happy companionship for over forty years. Mr. 
Boies remained a resident of Buchanan county until the time of his 
death. He was engaged in farming and stock raising all the time of 
his mature manhood. 

Since boyhood Mr. Boies was an active member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, which he served in an official capacity for many 
years. He was a member of the official board at the time of his death. 
He was not a member in name only, but a sincere Christian. 

Mr. Boies is survived by his widow and two daughters, Mrs. E. M. 
Wilcox, and Miss Inez M. Boies. His only son, Corporal Burr Boies, 
died in France October 13, 1918. Mr. Boise also is survived by two 
brothers, Horace L. of Quasqueton, and Congressman Wm. D. Boies, 
of Sheldon. 

Mr. Boies was a member of the Independence Lodge No. 87, A. F. 
and A. M., Declaration chapter O. E. S., W T apsi camp, M. W. A., and 
the Sons of the American Revolution. During his lifetime he was 


k 


39 





called to fill various public offices, including township positions and as 
a member of the board of supervisors. At his death he was serving his 
second term as Buchanan county’s representative in the Iowa house of 
Representatives. 

As has been said of him: “Truly a good and useful man has left us, 
and not only his relatives, the church and Buchanan county, but the 
whole state of Iowa sustains a great loss. It is reassuring to know that 
the good which men do is not buried with them. 

He was thoroughly honest, earnest, conscientious, quiet and unas¬ 
suming. He made no pretensions of being an orator. 

In the legislature it was in committee work that his influence was 
felt, where, as man to man, in his unpretentious way, he could present 
facts, figures and sound common sense to his co-workers. And when he 
got up to talk he always said something worth while in his plain, con¬ 
vincing way. 

He was ever kindly, charitable, friendly, the best type of citizen. In 
hi& death the entire county and state mourns with the bereaved widow, 
daughters, brothers and other relatives. Especially was his death a 
shock to the members of the Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eighth General 
Assembly who were so intimately acquainted with him. A truly good 
man has passed on, and his memory will long endure. 

Whereas, The life and character of the deceased, and his long and ex¬ 
emplary service calls for such as to place his memory among those 
highly respected and esteemed in the state of Iowa. 

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the 
state of Iqwa, take this occasion to express its appreciation of the splen¬ 
did character, and the public services of the deceased, and at this time 
extend to the surviving members of his family our sincere sympathy in 
their sorrow. 

And Be It Further Resolved . That a copy of the resolution be spread 
upon the journal; that the chief clerk be directed to forward an en¬ 
grossed copy of the same, to be sent to the widow of the deceased and 
surviving members of the family. 

Geo. P. Slemmons, 

Trios. Parsons, 

J. H. Van Camp, 

Committee. 

Adopted March 23, 1921. 


HON. GEORGE H. DUNKLEBURG 

Mr. Speaker —Your committee appointed to memorialize the life and 
public services of George H. Dunkleburg, an honored member of this 


—40 



House in the Thirty-seventh General Assembly, and who died at his 
home near Rockford, Iowa, December twelfth, 1919, beg leave to sub¬ 
mit the following report: 

George H. Dunkleberg was born in Niagara county, New York, Octo¬ 
ber second, 1853. He was a son of Jeremiah and Matilda Dunkelberg, 
both natives of Niagara county, New York. He made his home with 
his parents on a farm in Niagara county, New York, until 1867, when 
he came to Ogle county, Illinois. His father’s family consisted of 
twelve children, eight girls and four boys. 

George H. Dunkelberg grew up on the old home farm in Illinois. He 
received a common school education, and later attended high school 
at Rochelle, Illinois, and also the Rock River Seminary. He began life 
for himself as a teacher and for a period of five years taught in the 
public schools of Ogle county, Illinois. Although he was becoming one 
of the most successful educators of that county, he abandoned the school 
room for farming. 

Mr. Dunkleberg was married in 1882 to Mary E. Hubbard, a daugh¬ 
ter of Wm. Hubbard, of Ogle county, Illinois. Soon after he married 
he moved to Floyd county, Iowa, locating on a two hundred acre farm 
in section two, Rockford township. He put all the buildings and im¬ 
provements on the place and was very successful as a general farmer 
and stock raiser, making a specialty of breeding Short Horn cattle. 
Prospering through industry and good management, he added to his or¬ 
iginal holdings until at the time of his death he was the owner of five 
hundred and forty acres of excellent land. Everything about his farm 
indicated thrift and prosperity and he was generally regarded as one 
of the leading farmers of northern Iowa. 

Mr. Dunkleberg was of a jovial disposition, enjoyed a good story and 
was full of dry wit and humor. His word was as good as his bond and 
he enjoyed the confidence and respect of all who knew him. 

The following children were born to Mr. Dunkleberg by his first 
wife: Alta, the wife of David Mitchell, Ray, Arthur, Floyd, Wilbur and 
Irene. The mother of these children died on February second, 1906. 
Mr. Dunkleberg subsequently married Minnie Gale, who survives him 
and at the present time resides on the home farm near Rockford. 

Mr. Dunkleberg was a life long republican. For many years he was 
one of the leaders of his party in Floyd county. At the general election 
in the fall of 1916 he was elected state representative in the Thirty- 
seventh General Assembly of Iowa without opposition. During his serv¬ 
ice in the Legislature he made a commendable record which was in 
every way satisfactory to his constituents and all concerned. 

Fraternally, Mr. Dunkleberg belonged to the Masonic Order, including 
the Consistory and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic 
Shrine. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the 


Ancient Order United Workmen. He belonged to the Methodist church, 
in which he held the office of trustee. He was a well informed man, 
having been a wide miscellaneous reader, and keeping abreast of the 
times on current matters. He was public spirited and always took a 
deep interest in movements looking to the betterment of his township, 
county and state. 

In the death of Mr. Dunkleberg, the state of Iowa has lost a loyal 
patriotic citizen, and a faithful and efficient servant. 

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That this memorial be spread on the House 
journal and an engrossed copy be sent to the family of the deceased. 

J. S. Garber, 

Jas. S. Francis, 

Chas. Gilmore, 

Committee . 

Adopted March 23, 1921. 


HON. HENRY B. KLING 

Mr. Speaker —Your committee, appointed to prepare resolutions com¬ 
memorative of the life, character and public service of the Honorable 
Henry B. Kling, late member of the House of Representatives in the 
Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth and Thirty-first General Assemblies, beg leave 
to report the following: 

Henry B. Kling was born May 23, 1845, at Troy, Wisconsin. On April 
11, 1872, he was married to Flora E. Allen. To them were born a daugh¬ 
ter, Mrs. Bessie Nelson, and a son, Herbert A. Kling. 

Mr. Kling came with his family to Iowa in 1878, settling at Woodbine, 
Harrison county, Iowa, where he became a power for good. During his 
long residence in Woodbine, he was identified with every movement 
which tended to augment the growth and prosperity of the town. 

In politics he was a republican and as a representative, he was an untir¬ 
ing and conscientious worker. 

He was a charter member of Woodbine Lodge of the I. O. O. F. and a 
consistent worker in the fraternity. 

Whereas, The life and character of the deceased were such as to entitle 
his memory to the respect and esteem of all who knew him. 

Therefore Be It Resolved, That the House of Representatives take this 
occasion to express its appreciation of his character and public services, 
and at this time to extend to his family its sincere sympathy in their 
sorrow, and, 

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon 


— 42 — 



the journal of the House, and that the chief clerk be directed to send 
an engrossed copy to the family of the deceased. 


Adopted March 23, 1921. 


Bruce R. Mills, 

Jno. M. Rankin, 

E. H. Knickerbocker, 

Committee. 


HON. JOHN FRANKLIN GLOVER 

Mr. Speaker— Your committee appointed to prepare suitable resolutions 
commemorating the life and work of the Hon. John, Franklin Glover, 
late of Osceola County, Iowa, beg leave to submit the following memorial: 

Honorable John Franklin Glover was born September 16, 1845, in 
Hartleton, Union county, Pa., the son of William and Eliza (Fisher) 
Glover. In 1846 his parents moved to Stephenson county, Ill., where they 
lived until their deaths. When but one year old Mr. Glover moved to 
Monroe, Wis., and he was living there when the Civil War broke out. 

In 1864 he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-eighth Regiment, Wisconsin 
Volunteer Infantry, and was later transferred to Company F in the 
same regiment. He was promoted to second lieutenant. He served 
under General Grant in Virginia. 

Mr. Glover had not completed his education when he enlisted. He 
had some schooling at Freeport, Ill., and Monroe, Wis., but at the close 
of the war he entered the university of Wisconsin and was graduated 
with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1871 and Master of. Arts in 
1874. The same year he came to Osceola county and was elected clerk 
of courts. In 1878 he was admitted to the bar. A few years later he 
was elected to the state legislature and served in the 16th General 
Assembly. Later he was mayor of Sibley for three years and county 
attorney for two years. 

The deceased was married to Mary Frances Upton, who died May 23, 
1886, leaving one son, Lyn Fisher, who is now living in Sibley. In 
1908 he was ordained to the ministry of the Congregational church and 
since that time has served as a supply minister in Iowa, Minnesota and 
Missouri. For many years he has served as pension attorney. 

His wealth of knowledge has been the cause of wonder of all who 
had his acquaintance. History and political questions were his hobbies. 
He cited events and dates of ancient history as surely as he could 
point out the minute details of congressional bills. He followed the 
events of the late war so closely that he could give the minute details 
of every battle. Mr. Glover was a philanthropist with his knowledge. 
He gave of his services freely. 

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That the House of Representatives take 

— 43 — 



I 


this occasion to express its appreciation of his character and public 
services to the state and at this time extend to his bereaved relatives 
its sincere sympathy in their sorrow, and 

Be It Further Resolved , That a copy of these resolutions be spread 
upon the journal of the House and that the chief clerk be instructed 
to forward an engrossed copy of same to the family of the deceased. 

F. M. Year, 

John Bradley, 

T. Ef. Moen, 

Committee. 

Adopted March .23, 1921. 


HON. NORMAN DENSMORE 

Mr. Speaker— Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions com¬ 
memorating the life and services of the Honorable Norman Densmore, 
late of Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, beg leave to report the following 
memorial: 

honorable Norman Densmore, who represented Cerro Gordo county, 
in the Twentieth and Twenty-first General Assemblies, was born at 
Riga, New York, on the 19th day of September, 182 9, and died April 
11th, 1920, at Des Moines, Iowa, having lived through the most won¬ 
derful period of American history and rounded out a useful life whose 
span reached nearly across a century. 

He received a high school education in the state of New York; took 
a year of college work after he came to Wisconsin at Beloit College. 

In 1845 he worked on a farm in Rock county, Wisconsin, attending 
college the following year. He taught school for several terms and in 
1877 followed the westward trend of civilization and came to the prai¬ 
ries of Iowa, settling in Cerro Gordo county. 

• 

Here he farmed and widened his acquaintance, and it was not long 
until his ability led to his being chosen as a representative to the state 
legislature. He was an active Republican, but the party never .blinded 
him to the rights of man. 

He became deeply interested in the Farmers Co-operative movement 
about this time, 1886-7 and fought the good fight of co-operation when 
almost standing alone and finally led the co-operative forces to victory. 
He was the promoter of the first successful co-operative elevator in¬ 
surance company in Iowa. 

Mr. Densmore was an officer for many years in the Cerro Gordo 
County Mutual and later became a director in the great Iowa Mutual 
Tornado Insurance Association in which capacity he acted until 1905, 
when he was elected as president of that company and moved to Des 


— 44 — 






Moines, to occupy this responsible position, which position he accept¬ 
ably filled to within a few months of his death. 

He was a man to be loved. Of that fibre of manhood which lays its 
course on the line of right and having laid its course goes forward with 
a steadfast purpose though the heavens fall. This was the spirit of 
Norman Densmore. 

In 185 7 he was married to Miss Delia Webster of Palestine, Illinois. 
To this union were born three children, Ray D., son, of Pensacola, 
Florida; Mrs. Elsie Jones of St. Paul, Minnesota; Ora D., son, of Des 
Moines, Iowa. 

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That the House of Representatives take this 
occasion to present this tribute to the memory of a faithful public 
servant, and to express appreciation of his character and public service, 
and at the same time extend to widow and'relatives most sincere sym¬ 
pathy. 

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be printed in the journal 
of the House and that the chief clerk be directed to forward to the fam¬ 
ily of the deceased an engrossed copy. 

.T. H. McGhee, 

J. S. Garber. 

I. E. Beeman, 

Committee. 

Adopted March 23, 1921. 


HON. GAMALIEL JAQUA 

Mr. Speaker —Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions com¬ 
memorating the life and work of the Hon. Gamaliel Jaqua, late of Tama 
county, Iowa, beg leave to report the following memorial: 

Gamaliel Jaqua was born in Prebel county, Ohio, December 30, 182 8, 
and died at the home of his son in Warrensburg, Missouri, December, 
2 3, 1919. Burial was in Traer, Iowa. He grew -to manhood in the 
county of his birth and served as county superintendent there several 
years. He came to Tama county, Iowa, in 185 6 and bought some land 
at a dollar and a quarter an acre. He farmed and tatight school. He 
served several years as justice of the peace and for ten years was a 
member of the board of supervisors. 

In 1875, he was elected representative and re-elected in 187 7, serv¬ 
ing in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth General Assemblies. In 1882, 
when James Wilson who was editor of the Traer Clipper, was nom¬ 
inated for congress, Mr. Jaqua bought his interest in that paper. Later 
he associated-himself with E. E. Taylor in consolidating the Star and 
Clipper. However, he sold his interest to Mr. Taylor a year thereafter, 
but edited an agricultural department in the paper for years. He also 


— 45 — 



wrote much for his two sons’ papers at Humboldt, Iowa, and Warrens- 
burg, Missouri. 

Mr. Jaqua was a man of progressive ideas, always interested in the 
welfare of his state and county. Among legislative matters, during the 
later years of his life, he was much interested in, and advocated the 
use of Torren’s Land Title System. 

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That the House of Representatives take 
this occasion to present this tribute to the memory of a faithful pub¬ 
lic servant, and to express appreciation of his character and public 
service, and at the same time extend to relatives most sincere sympathy. 

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread 
upon the journal of the House, and that the chief clerk be directed to 
send copies thereof to the relatives. 

F. W. Ingersoll, 

J. C. Sterling, 

L. H. Mayne, 

Committee. 

Adopted March 23, 1921. 


HON. CHARLES F. LINNAN 

Mr. Speaker —Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions com¬ 
memorating the life, character and public service of the Hon. Charles 
F. Linnan of Pocahontas county, member of the House of Representa¬ 
tives in the Thirty-fourth General Assembly, beg leave to submit the 
following memorial: 

Charles F. Linnan was born at Churchville, Warren county, Iowa, 
May 17, 1867, and died at his home in Fonda, Iowa, May 31, 1919. 

His education was obtained in the schools of Wa,rren county and at 
Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa, also a business course at the Cap¬ 
ital City Commercial College at Des Moines, Iowa. 

After fitting himself for life’s activities he engaged in the mercan¬ 
tile business at Fonda, Iowa, also engaged in real estate and in large 
drainage contracts in various counties of Northwestern Iowa, and was 
at the time of his death owner of a large amount of towm property in 
Fonda, Iowa, also of thirteen hundred sixty acres of valuable Iowa land. 

In a charitable way Mr. Linman was surpassed by very few, if any. The 
poor were never lacking in food or clothing if known to him. Many un¬ 
fortunates of the liquor habit were helped by him to a cure in some 
institute for their betterment. 

Whereas, in view of the loss the state has suffered by the decease of 
the Honorable Charles F. Linnan of F'onda, Iowa, and the still heavier 
loss sustained by those who were nearest and dearest to him, 

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That in the death of the Hon. 





Charles 



P. Linnan the state laments the passing of a valuable and honored cit¬ 
izen who was ever ready to proffer the hand of aid, to give voice in 
the counsels of his fellows, and to offer sympathy to the needy. That 
in the long and active residence in Pocahontas county, being identified 
with its educational, commercial and political activities, he enjoyed a 
large acquaintanceship through county and state which he deeply ap¬ 
preciated and profoundly respected. 

Resolved, That it is but a just tribute to the memory of the departed 
to say that in regretting his removal we mourn for one who was worthy 
of our respect and regard. 

Resolved . That we sincerely condone with the family of the de¬ 
ceased on the dispensation with which it has pleased Divine Providence 
to afflict them, and commend them for consolation to Him who orders 
all things for the best and Whose chastisements are meant in mercy. 

Resolved, That this testimonial of sympathy and respect of the 
state and of the sorrow of the home city, be forwarded to the family 
of our departed friend by the chief clerk of the House of Representa¬ 
tives. 

C, L. Gunderson, 

T. E. Moen, 

G. A. Justice, 

Committee. 

Adopted March 23, 1921. 


HON. JOHN SHAMBAUGH 

Mr. Speaker —Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions and 
befitting memorial on the life, character and public services of the 
Honorable John Shambaugh, a member of the 2?th and 2 8th General 
Assemblies, beg leave to report as follows: 

John Shambaugh was born in New Rumley, Ohio, October 13, 184 8. 
He attended the public schools of that place, where he grew to man¬ 
hood. His occupation was farming and stock raising, and it was there 
that he formed habits of industry and frugality which contributed to 
his eminent success and achievement, and gave him the reputation of 
being one of the foremost and most progressive farmers of Iowa. He 
emigrated to Iowa in 1873, where he came into possession of a quarter 
section of the best land in Madison county. He was married to Miss 
Ellen Evans in 18 79. 

There was added to his small farm acre upon acre until his posses¬ 
sions extended to Dallas county. Long before his death, he had one of 
the largest and best equipped farms in Madison county. An imposing 
and spacious mansion was erected and comfortable sheds and barns 
were built. It was a model home in every respect, where entertain¬ 
ment was furnished and lavish hospitality dispensed to hits friends, and 
especially to such as were engaged in the same occupation as himself. 

— 47 — 



In conjunction with his brother and other enterprising neighbors, he 
erected a beautiful church building and laid out a Cemetery at the 
corner of his home farm. This was a United Brethern church, of which 
he was a life long member and official. He was first and always inter¬ 
ested in this church of his choice, which was frequently called Mr. 
Shambaugh’s chapel. He gave liberally of his time and money in help¬ 
ing to sustain Leander Clark College at Toledo, Iowa, which was the 
state school of the United Brethern church, and he was a trustee of 
that institution for thirty years. 

He assisted in organizing the Booneville Savings Bank, and was a 
director of the same until the time of his death. He was a life long 
member of the Republican party, and stood high in the councils of 
the organization, both county and state. He was a member of the 
Grant Club of the capital city, and rarely was absent from its meetings. 
He found time for travel and visited all parts of the United States, 
and journeyed throughout Europe. 

He left but one son and heir, Jacob Shambaugh, who, with his mother, 
are still operating the farm. 

Resolved, That this memorial be spread upon the pages of the House 
journal, and an engrossed copy be sent to t^he family of the deceased. 

W. H. Vance, 

James Peters, 

Jno. A. Storey, 

Committee. 

Adopted March 23, 1921. 


HON. GEORGE R. STRUBLE 

Mr. Speaker —Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions com¬ 
memorating the life and work of the Honorable George R. Struble, late 
of Tama county, Iowa, beg leave to report the following memorial: 

Judge Struble departed this life at his home in Toledo, Iowa, De¬ 
cember 15th, 1918.- He was born July 25, 1836, in Sussex county, New 
Jersey. His parents, Isaac and Emma (Cox) Struble, removed to Fred¬ 
ericksburg, Virginia, when he was quite young. They afterwards re¬ 
moved to Chesterville, Ohio, in 184 7. In 1856, Mr. Struble came to 
Iowa, locating first at Iowa City and remaining there until the follow¬ 
ing springy He then located in Toledo, Iowa, where on April 19th, 
1860, he was married to Miss Sophia J. Nelson. 

He was admitted to the bar in 1860. His first law partnership was 
with Albert Stoddard which lasted four years and was succeeded by 
the firm of Allen & Strubble. 

He also was later in partnership with C. B. Bradshaw, C. M. Gooci- 

— 48 — 



rich and L. G. Kinne, and in 1881, the firm of Struble & Stiger was 
formed, which continued as long as he remained in active practice. 

From 1870 to 1872, he served acceptably on the circuit bench and in 
1879 was elected to the General Assembly where he served two terms, 
the last term as speaker of the House of Representatives. 

He was affiliated with the First Congregational church of Toledo for 
many years and was zealous in his church life and in the support of 
all those things which are for the uplift of the community. 

The life and work of Judge Struble remain as an inspiration to those 
who knew him. He gained his position and influence in life by ardu¬ 
ous, painstaking labor and appreciated to the utmost the opportunities 
that life had afforded him. His energy, his intellectual powers, his un¬ 
tiring efforts for those he served, all characterize him as a man and 
citizen of whom it may well be said, “Well done, thou good and faith¬ 
ful servant.” 

Judge Struble was a director of the Toledo Savings Bank; in politics, 
a republican. Socially, he was pleasant, affable and courteous; how¬ 
ever, always considering business paramount to social ties. 

As a lawyer, he was quick to see a point and possessed a ready flow 
of language to push it; a forcible speaker well educated in his profession 
and withal, a most successful lawyer. He was a man in whom not only 
his county but his state took pride. 

Six children survive him as follows: Agnes N., Mary T., Gertrude 
N., Jessie F., Geo. Herbert, who was a member of the law firm at the 
time of his father’s death, and Grace T. 

The funeral was held in Toledo and burial in Woodlawn cemetery. 

Whereas , The Honorable George R. Struble, has been called from 
this life, therefore, 

Be It Resolved , That the House of Representatives has heard with 
deep sorrow and regret of his death and that it recognizes the high 
character of his service to his state and in his death the state has lost 
a worthy and noble citizen, and 

Be It Resolved , Further, that these resolutions be spread upon the 
journal, that engrossed copies of the same be sent to members of 
his family. 

F. W. Ingersoll, 

J. M. Ramsey, 

F. C. Sampson, 

. Committee. 

Adopted March 23, 1921. 


— 49 — 


HON. LAURITZ ENGER 

Mr. Speaker —Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions com¬ 
memorating the life, character and public service of the Hon. Lauritz M. 
Enger, beg leave to submit the following report: 

Lauritz M. Enger was born in Norway, November 3, 1856 and de¬ 
parted this life at his home, Decorah, Iowa, August 2, 1920. 

His father, Magnus Enger, was a farmer in Norway, where he and 
his wife are both buried. 

Lauritz M. Enger attended public school in his native country until 
he was fifteen years of age, but during the last two years of this period 
was obliged to gain his own livelihood. At the age of fifteen he bor¬ 
rowed enough money to pay his passage to the United States and af¬ 
terward worked at farm labor in order to pay his debt. When this 
was discharged, he continued at his former occupation, working as a 
farm hand during the summer months and attending district school 
in the winters. He later became a student at Breckenridge Institu¬ 
tion in Decorah and upon leaving that institution secured a position 
as a clerk in a general store in this city, retaining it for six years 
thereafter. At the end of that time he rented a farm but after operat¬ 
ing it for two years returned to Decorah where he purchased a shoe 
store, turning his attention to mercantile pursuits. For nine years he 
continued to conduct this enterprise and during a portion of this time 
was employed also in the Decorah postoffice as mailing clerk. He then 
accepted a position in the office of the Decorah Posten, beginning in 
the mailing department and rising until he had full charge of same 
and later assisted in the editorial and business departments. He also 
did a great deal of illustrating and he remained connected with the 
paper for sixteen years, during which time he also established himself 
in the insurance business. In this line of work he was active and in 
control of a large and representative patronage and numbered among 
the substantial business men of the city. 

Mr. Enger was elected to the House of Representatives in 1910, 
was re-elected in 1912. He completed his legislative activities' by serv¬ 
ing with distinction in the Senate of the 36th and 37th General As¬ 
semblies. 

On the 10th of February, 1880, Mr. Enger was united in marriage 
to Miss Bertha Myran, a daughter of Ashley and Astri (Nelson) Myran, 
natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Enger were the parents of three 
children: Melvin, aged. thirty-two, who is a professor in the university 
of Illinois; Norval, aged thirty, county engineer of Grant county, Wash¬ 
ington; and Arthur, assistant engineer at the experiment station of 
the Stpte University at Tuscon, Arizona. He is an expert on road con¬ 
struction and travels all over the state in this capacity. 

Mr. Enger was a devout member of the Lutheran church and gave 
his political allegiance to the repubilcan party. He was a member of 


the Norske Salskab Club and the Symra Club and was well known in 
social circles at Decorah. He was a man of varied interests but all 
along lines of progress and improvement. While in business affairs he 
achieved a gratifying measure of prosperity, he at the same time 
wrought along lines of the greatest good to the greatest number, his 
activities in political and business fields providing of benefits to com¬ 
munity at large. 

Therefore Be It Resolved, That the House of Representatives take 
this occasion to express its appreciation of his character and public 
service and at this time extend to his surviving children its sincere 
sympathy in their sorrow, and 

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of the resolutions be spread 
upon the journal of the House and that the Chief Clerk be instructed 
to send an engrossed copy to the children of the deceased. 

O. Gilbertson, 

Wm. Becker, 

J. H. Anderson, 

Committee. 

Adopted March 23, 1921. 


HON. F. F. ROE 

Mr. Speaker —Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions com¬ 
memorating the life, character and public service of F. F. Roe beg 
leave to submit the following report: 

Whereas, The Honorable Fergusen F. Roe, who was heretofore a 
member of the House of Representatives from Monona county during 
the twenty-second (22d) and twenty third (23d) General Assemblies, 
departed this life at his home near Castana, Iowa, January 5, 1920, and 

Whereas, His record as a man, a legislator, a public official and a 
citizen, has been of the highest character, and 

Whereas, It is fitting that we should recognize in some fitting man¬ 
ner, the passing of this distinguished citizen, therefore be it 

Resolved, By the House of Representatives of the state of Iowa, that 
in the death of Ferguson F. Roe, the state of Iowa has suffered a loss. 

“Ferguson F. Roe was born in Darke county, Ohio, November 18, 
1832. He was the fourth of a family of eight children. 

In his youth Mr. Roe attended the district school in Jackson town¬ 
ship, Darke county, Ohio, and at the age of eighteen years commenced 
serving an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade at which he served 
for about two years. The succeeding years he was engaged in study¬ 
ing in the school again, but later removed to Union City, Rudolph coun¬ 
ty, Indiana, on the line and started a forge of his own, and there re¬ 
mained until September 1855 when selling his tools and packing up 


— 51 — 



he came to Iowa. He had been successful in speculating in town lots 
in that city and had when he came here about $700.00 besides his 
wagon and span of horses. He arrived in Monona county in October 
of the same year and settled upon the east half of section eighteen. In 
December 1850 he went to Story county and through that winter was 
engaged in teaching school, returning to his farm in the spring or the 
summer of 1857 drew to a close he returned to Story county and 
was there married October 1st, 1857, to Eliza A. Miller, a native of 
Hancock county, who passed away some years ago. The following 
year he taught school in the same locality and in the summer of 1858 
was engaged in carrying on a farm of his mother-in-law’s in that 
county. In the spring of the succeeding year he settled on his farm 
here which he has made his residence ever since. He was identified 
with the organization of • townships and taught the first school within 
its limits in 1861 and 1862. Probably within the county there is no 
better known or more highly valued citizen than was Mr. Roe, and 
an appreciation of the people was shown several times by placing him 
in prominent positions of honor and trust, and in 1869 he took his place 
on the Board of Supervisors of the county and had that position for 
about two years. In the fall of 1887 he was elected representative to 
the General Assembly of Iowa, where he served two terms. He was 
the father of seven children. He owned large land interests in the 
Maple Valley and late years was a well known figure at the Old Set¬ 
tler’s Picnics in both Monona and Woodbury counties. 

Be It Resolved, That the life of Ferguson F. Roe, as a citizen as a 
legislator, and in every other walk of life, has been such as to com¬ 
mend his example as an inspiration to those who follow after. His 
Unswerving fidelity to duty, his faithfulness in every public and private 
trust, and his character as a citizen should inspire all with whom he 
came in contact to a higher ideal of life and living, and be it further 

Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the records of this 
House of Representatives and engrossed copy thereof be sent to his 
family. 

Henry Edging ton, 

J. C. Lockin, 

Frank C. Lake, 

, Committee. 

Adopted March 23, 1921. 


HON. SIMON MILLER 

Mr. Speaker —Your committee appointed to draft resolutions commem¬ 
orating the life, character and public service of the Honorable Simon 
Miller of Dubuque county, Iowa, beg leave to report the following: 

Simon Miller was born at Dickeyville, Grant county, Wis., on Febru¬ 
ary 5, 1861, where his early life was spent on a farm. In 1886 he re- 



moved to Dubuque, Iowa, at which place he died on April 22, 1920. He 
was united in marriage with Miss Mary Folan, January 9, 1887, who, 

with the following children survives him, John, Irvin, Othmer, Alice and 
Helen. 

He received his education in the Grant county schools of Wisconsin 
and on removing to Dubuque became identified with the teamster’s union 
as their financial officer and business agent and through his untiring 
efforts became a power in local, state and national policies of organized 
labor where be became noted for his conservatism and true ethics of 
progress. 

His fraternal and social worth was recognized by honors extended 
by the ancient order of United Workmen of Iowa, being a member of the 
executive board and auditing committee of the Grand Lodge of Iowa. 
He was a devout Catholic and regular attendant of the Holy Trinity 
church of Dubuque. 

A democrat in politics, serving as representative from Dubuque county 
in the regular and extra sessions of the Thirty-second General Assemblies, 
also the Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth and Thirty-eighth General Assemblies. 

Therefore, Be It Resolved , That the House of Representatives takes 
this occasion to present this tribute to the memory of a faithful public 
servant, and to express appreciation of his character and public service 
and at the same time to extend to his bereaved family its sincere sympathy 
in their sorrow, and, 

Be It Further Resolved , That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon 
the journal of the House and the chief clerk be instructed to forward an 
engrossed copy of same to the family of the deceased. 

T. J. O’Donnell, 

C. J. LeValley, 

L. W. Powers, 

Committee. 

Adopted March 23, 1921. 


HON. MAHLON HEAD 

Mr. Speaker —Your committee appointed to draft a resolution con¬ 
cerning the life and public service of Honorable Mahlon 'Head of Greene 
county, Iowa, a member of the House of Representatives in the Twenty- 
eighth, Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth and Thirty-first General Assemblies, beg 
to report as follows: 

A great and good man passed from labor to reward when Mahlon 
Head, former member of this House, breathed his. last on the 17tli day 
of January, 1920. A pioneer lawmaker, a successful man of affairs, a keen 
observer of events, he retained throughout his eventful life a simple and 
kindly spirit which endeared him to all, apd which caused the tears of 


— 53 — 



the poor and lowly to mingle with those of the prominent and influential 
at his grave. 

Mahlon Head was born in Highland county, Ohio, July 12, 1835, the son 
of William M. and Margaret Fernau Head. When twenty years of age 
he came with his parents and six brothers and sisters to Poweshiek 
county, Iowa. Here he farmed for one year, and then became a clerk in 
the office of the county treasurer of Poweshiek county, where he worked 
until the civil war broke out. In June, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, 
Tenth Iowa Infantry, and served with gallantry for five years, participat¬ 
ing in some of the notable engagements of the war. Among them were 
the battles of New Madrid, Island No. 10, Iuka, Corinth, Vicksburg and 
Missionary Ridge. He was wounded in the battle last named. He also 
marched with Sherman to the sea, and was commissioned as lieutenant 
and later as staff officer with General John E. Smith. His military record 
was one of exceptional distinction and honor. 

Coming home from the war in 1865, Mr. Head engaged in the banking 
business at Montezuma, Iowa, as a member of the firm of Mickel and 
Head. In 1866 he came to Jefferson, Iowa, where he made his home for 
more than fifty-four years to the day of his death, being engaged in the 
banking business nearly all that time, first under the firm name of Head 
Brothers with his brother, Albert Head, who was also a former member 
and speaker of this House. Later, the banking house was changed to the 
Greene County State Bank, and still later, to the First National Bank of 
Jefferson. In 1865, Mr. Head was married to Mary L. Mullikin, of Powe¬ 
shiek county, and to them, thirteen children were born, eight of whom, 
with the wife and mother, survive him. They are Mrs. F. M. Dean, Jef¬ 
ferson; Mrs. Z. K. Funk, Fort Dodge; Mrs. T. R. Watts, Grand Junction; 
Mrs. Merle Oblinger, Grand Junction; Mrs. W. G. Howard, Jefferson; 
Mahlon, Jr„ Denver, Colo.; Mrs. John Stevenson, Mountain Lake Park, 
Maryland; Charles D., Grand Junction. 

Mr. Head was a charter member of the Methodist church of Jefferson, 
and a loyal and generous supporter of that organization in all its activi¬ 
ties. In politics he was a republican, becoming identified with that party 
on its organization in 1856, and being honored by it with many positions 
of trust and responsibility. He was a member of George H. Thomas Post, 
Grand Army of the Republic, and none mourn him more deeply and sin¬ 
cerely than the comrades of this organization with whom he was so 
long and so closely associated. Mr. Head was also a member of the 
Masonic Orders; and now 

Whereas, In the death of Mahlon Head the state of Iowa has lost a 
citizen of distinguished worth who took prominent part in the forming and 
sustaining of the commonwealth in the pioneer days; 

Therefore , Be It Resolved , That the House of Representatives take this 
occasion to express its high appreciation of his lofty character and faith¬ 
ful public service, and adopts this memorial in the name of the people 
of Iowa as a tribute to his name and memory; and 


— 54 — 


Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread 
upon the journal of the House, and that the chief clerk transmit an en¬ 
grossed copy thereof to the family of the deceased. 

A. K. Westervelt, 

Chas. Gilmore, 

John Brady, 

Committee. 

Adopted March 23, 1921. 


HON. GEORGE LOVELL GILBERT 

Mr. Speaker —Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions com¬ 
memorating the life, character and public service of George L. Gil¬ 
bert, beg leave to submit the following report: 

Whereas, The Honorable George L. Gilbert, who was heretofore a 
member of the House of Representatives from Clayton county, Iowa, 
during the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth General Assemblies, de¬ 
parted this life on May 13, 1919; and, 

Whereas, His record as a man, a legislator, a public official and a citi¬ 
zen, has been of the highest character; and, 

Whereas, It is fitting that we should recognize in some fitting man¬ 
ner, the passing of this distinguished citizen; 

Therefore, Be It Resolved By the House of Representatives of the 
State of Iowa, that in the death of George L. Gilbert, the State of 
Iowa has suffered a distinct loss. 

George Lovell Gilbert was born Jan. 19, 1856, at Clinton, Wisconsin, 
where he resided for four years, and moved with his parents to Clay¬ 
ton Center. There he lived until ten years of age and then removed to 
Monona, where he resided until his death. 

On Thanksgiving day, November 25, 1880, at Monona, he married 
Mary Letitia Killen. A daughter, Mrs. T. A. King of West Union, and 
son Donald, with his mother, now residents of Mason City, survive 
him. A brother Frank of Chicago, and a sister, Mrs. Amelia Veach of 
Verdon, Nebraska, are the only surviving members of his father’s 
family. 

He was a shrewd and capable business man, and for a number of 
years owned and operated the drug store at Monona, in which he was 
eminently successful. In the early nineties he was elected to the leg¬ 
islature from Clayton County for two terms, and was one of the most 
active and prominent members in the lower house in those memorable 
sessions. He affiliated then with the democratic party, but left the 
party with the sound money democrats in 1896, and was prominent in 
politics in his section of the state for many years. He was so re- 







sourceful in campaigns and so original in his expression, and so en¬ 
thusiastic in his support of friends and favorite measures, that he was 
a constant source of enjoyment to his friends, and, as an opponent, 
was always respected by the opposition. Besides his public service in 
the legislature, he was for a number of years also deputy internal 
revenue collector for the Northern Iowa district, and enjoyed a wide 
acquaintance and a wide circle of friends. 

He was generous, big-hearted, and optimistic always, a hater of 
shams, a lover of integrity and right, and a very lovable comrade. At 
the age of sixty-two he had lived out his allotted three score years, 
but the years were crowded with more than the usual activity of men 
and his life work was finished. 

He was a member of Clayton Lodge No. 70, A. F. & A. M., Monona, 
McGregor Commandry, El Kahir Temple of the Shrine, at Cedar Rap¬ 
ids, and De Molay Consistory, Clinton, Iowa. 

Be Tt Resolved, That the life of George L. Gilbert as a citizen, as a 
legislator, and in every other walk of life, has been such as to com¬ 
mend his example as an inspiration to those who follow after. His un¬ 
swerving fidelity to duty, his faithfulness in every public and private 
trust, and his character as a citizen should inspire all with whom 
he came in contact to a higher ideal of life and living, and be it 
further 

Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the records of this 
House of Representatives, and that an engrossed copy thereof be sent 
to the widow of the deceased. 

Wm. Becker, 

J. H. McGhee, 

I. E. Beeman, 

Committee 

Adopted March 23, 1921. 


HON. MALCOM FORMAN McNIE 

Mr. Speaker —Your committee appointed to memorialize the life and 
public service of Mal.com Forman McNie, an honored member of this 
House in the Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth, and Thirty-first General As¬ 
semblies from Benton County, and who died at his home in Long 
Beach, California, on the 16th day of December, 1920, beg leave to 
submit the following report: 

Malcom Forman McNie was born in New York City on September 
27, 1848. His parents came from Alloa, Scotland, and settled in 
New York City in the early forties, the father engaging in the news¬ 
paper business and being connected with the New York Herald and 
the Tribune in the early days of their activities. 


— 56 — 



Mr. McNie was educated in the public schools of New York City and 
later his parents moved to Iowa and he had the advantage of a course 
at the Western College of this state. After leaving college he taught 
school for several years, but later gave his entire time to farming and 
fine stock raising. For over thirty-five years he was a successful 
farmer near Vinton, Iowa, and in 1891, he with others organized the 
State Bank of Vinton, in which he acte.d as Director for thirteen years. 
He was also a director in the Eden Fire Insurance Company of Vin¬ 
ton and of the Benton County Telephone Company. He took an active 
part in all matters of general public interest including those of a re¬ 
ligious nature and did his full share of work in connection with these 
matters. 

Mr. McNie was elected a member of the Twenty-ninth General 
Assembly from Benton County and as a recognition for the satisfac¬ 
tory services therein performed he returned to the Thirtieth and 
Thirty-first General Assemblies. 

In 1904 Mr. McNie removed to Long Beach, California, where he 
was closely identified with the business, social and philanthropic in¬ 
terests of the city. He was, until a short time before his death a 
director and treasurer of the Marine and Commercial Savings Bank 
of Long Beach and a stockholder in the Exchange National Bank. 

In March, 1915, he was appointed by the Los Angeles Board of 
County Supervisors, a member of the Public Welfare Commission and 
probation commissioner of Los Angeles county. He was president of 
the local Belgian Relief Committee. He was the organizer and first 
president of the Iowa Society of Long Beach, it being the largest of 
any local state organization and representing 5,000 Hawkeyes, now 
residents of Long Beach. In 1910 he was elected a member of the 
city council and served two years on the board. 

Mr. McNie is survived by his widow, Mrs. Agnes McNie, who resides 
at Long Beach, California, and three sons who are: Robert, of Wa¬ 
terloo, Iowa; Arthur, a farmer near Vinton; and Morris, residing at 
Hampton, Iowa, and agent for the County Farm Bureau of Franklin 
county. 

Whereas, The life and character of the deceased calls for such as to 
place his memory among those highly respected and esteemed in the 
State of Iowa; therefore be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the state of Iowa, take 
this occasion to express its appreciation of the splendid character and 
public services of the deceased. And at this time extend to the sur¬ 
viving relatives and members of his family their sincere sympathy in 
their sorrow. 

Be It Further Resolved, ‘That a copy of these resolutions be spread in 

—57— 


the journal of the House and that the Chief Clerk be asked to send a 
copy of this resolution to the surviving members of the family. 

J. W. Hanna, 

H. B. Morgan, 

E. P. Harrison, 

Committee. 

Adopted March 23, 1921. 


HON. WILLARD CHAUNCEY EARLE 

Mr. Speaker —Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions com¬ 
memorative of the life, character and public service of the Hon. Willard 
C. Earle, late of Allamakee county, beg leave to report the following 
memorial: 

Hon. Willard Chauncey Earle was born in Honesdale, Pa., Oct. 7, 1833. 

Hi« family is of old English origin and the line can be traced back 
directly to a Saxon ancestor who lived in Great Britain before the Nor¬ 
man conquest. It is also of old American establishment, its first repre¬ 
sentative in this country having settled in Newport, R. I., as early as 
1634. 

In the requirement of an education, Mr. Earle attended public school 
in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, and later, under a private tutor, pre¬ 
pared to enter Brown university. Because of his health he was obliged 
to abandon this intention and joined his elder brother, going west to 
Tiffin, Ohio, where both engaged in railroad work. 

In 1854 he came from Ohio to Iowa, locating in Waukon in June of 
that year, where for more than 65 years he maintained his residence. 

Had he no other claim to the respect of his fellow citizens, his long and 
loyal service in the Civil War would constitute a valid and a lasting one. 
Among the first to respond to President Lincoln’s call for volunteers for 
service in the Civil War, he joined Company B, 12th Iowa Volunteer 
Infantry, being elected captain. 

He participated in numerous important engagements, among which 
were the battles of Fort Henry, P^ort Donelson, Shiloh, Jackson, Black 
River Bridge, Champions Hill and Vicksburg. After the latter engage¬ 
ment, Captain Earle w.as ordered to raise a regiment of colored troops. 
He carried this work to successful completion, and, much to his surprise, 
received the commission of colonel of the regiment, which was entirely 
unsolicited on his part. The regiment participated in the battle of Natchez 
and in the campaigns along the Mississippi River, and remained in active 
service till the close of the war. He was one of the few soldiers of the 
Civil War who never applied for, and would never accept, a pension. 

With a creditable military record of brave, able and loyal service, Col. 
Earle received his honorable discharge and returned to Waukon, whence 

— 58 — 


$ 



he went to Chicago to enter Rush Medical College, where he took a 
course of lectures in 1865-1866. 

He attended Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, where he com¬ 
pleted his studies, graduating with the class of 1867. He then returned to 
Waukon, entered into partnership with Dr. I. H. Hedge and began the 
practice of his profession. Later, the parties established a drug store. 
In 1870 Dr. Earle purchased his partner’s interest and added to his stock 
a fine line of general merchandise. In partnership with his brother he 
also was engaged in the buying and shipping of stock and grain. Upon 
the death of his brother in 1885, Dr. Earle took over that business and 
continued it actively for many years. He gave largely of his time and 
means in successfully promoting the Waukon & Mississippi Railroad. 
He built substantial business blocks, had valuable Allamakee county 
farming land, and was president of the Citizens State bank of Waukon. 

After the close of the Civil War, Dr. Earle identified himself with the 
republican party. In 1884, however, he joined the democratic party and 
was elected to the lower House of the 19t.h General Assembly, and as 
the democratic nominee in 1906, he was again elected to the lower House 
and served as the representative of Allamakee county in the 32nd and 
32nd Special General Assemblies in a constructive and progressive way. 

During his 65 years of residence in Allamakee county, his activities 
influenced in an important way practically every phase of county and 
municipal advancement, and his great success was a reward of an up¬ 
right life, high in its purposes and constructive in its effect. 

On January 1, 1860, Mr. Earle was united in marriage with Miss Ellen 
A. Hedge of Waukon, to which union three children were born, two of 
which, Mrs. Minnie C. Hemenway and Carleton H. Earle, with Mrs. 
Earle, survive him. 

Dr. Earle died at St. Petersburg, Fla., February 10, 1920, and interment 
was at Waukon, Iowa, April 16, 1920. 

Noiv Therefore , Be It Resolved, By the House of Representatives of 
the Thirty-ninth General Assembly, that in the death of Dr. W. C. Earle 
the state and community where he lived have suffered the loss of an 
influential, upright and valiant citizen; and 

Be It Further Resolved , That a copy of these resolutions be spread 
upon the journal of the House and that the chief clerk be directed to send 
an engrossed copy thereof to the widow of the deceased. 

I. E. Beeman, 

Wm. Becker, 

J. R. Blake, 

Committee. 

Adopted March 23, 1921. 


.. I l»<*>»» " ' * 


— 59 — 


HON. GEORGE M. CURTIS 


Mr. Speaker— Your committee, appointed to prepare an appreciation 
of the life, character and public service of a former member of this 
body—Honorable George M. Curtis, whose death occurred at his home 
in Clinton, Clinton county, Iowa, February 9, 1921, beg leave to report 
the following: 


IN MEMORIAM 

George M. Curtis was born in Chenange county, New York, in April, 
1841. He came, with his parents to Ogle county, Illinois, a few years 
later, where, as a boy and young man, he worked on the farm, clerked 
in a store, and taught school, In 1867 he came to Iowa, purchasing an 
interest in a small sash, door and blind factory just being started, 
in the then, village of Clinton, by a brother, who had preceded him only 
a short time. He became the directing head of the business, and, with 
good team work, from this humble beginning, there developed one of the 
largest and most successful manufacturing enterprises, in its line in 
the world, and he lived to see “The Curtis Companies Incorporated,” 
with mills, factories, distributing ware houses and offices in ten states, 
widely separated, known to every one, where the march of civilization 
demands dependable products for constructing homes and public build¬ 
ings, but notwithstanding the vast amount of work necessary in so 
large a business, he was interested in other enterprises, the success 
of which was largely due to his advice and sagacity. Business, how¬ 
ever, did not engross all of his time and. attention. He was a good 
citizen in all that appellation applies; his work for the betterment of 
his home city, the improvement of its public schools, and the intelli¬ 
gent dispensation of charity, was untiring and effective. In politics 
he was an active and aggressive Republican, and, entering the arena, 
as a candidate for state representative in 1886, when his county was 
considered hopelessly Democratic, he was triumphantly elected, and, 
was an influential member of the Twenty-second General Assembly. In 
this service he formed the close personal friendship with Senator Albert 
B. Cummins, which lasted, with increasing mutual appreciation, to the 
hour of his death. 

In 1894, without his consent, he was nominated for Congress, which 
from the insistance of the active party men, all over the District, he 
finally accepted, and, after a characteristic campaign, was elected, 
overcoming a supposedly unimpregnable Democratic majority of more 
than nine thousand. He was re-elected to a second term, serving his 
district—the Second—with honor and distinction. He declined a third 
term for business reasons, and later ill health prevented him from be¬ 
coming the Republican candidate for the nomination for Governor of 
Iowa, which was urged from all parts of the state. He was a delegate 
to several national conventions, serving twice after his physical condi¬ 
tion was such, that his family had insisted that he curtail his business 
activities to the minimum. 


—60— 



His home life was perfect, as he was a devoted husband and a fond 
father, and it was at his own fire side, that his genial nature was at 
its best. He will be missed by all, but mostly by those who knew and 
loved him best—his faithful wife and two sons, his worthy successors, 
in business, to whom, his life will be an inspiration. His passing is 
a distinct public loss; to his home city, because he was ever alert to its 
best interests; to the state and nation, because his influence was always 
exerted to make and keep them what they are—the best state and nation 
in the world, therefore 

Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-ninth 
General Assembly of the state of Iowa, that the foregoing “In memoriam” 
be, and the same hereby is adopted as its appreciation of the life, char¬ 
acter and public service of Honorable George M. Curtis, a distinguished 
former member, that the same be spread upon the records and printed 
in the House Journal, and a copy, properly engrossed, signed by the 
speaker and the chief clerk, transmitted to the family of the deceased, at 
the home in Clinton, Iowa. 

Dr. Geo. A. Smith, 

W. P. Sciiirmer, 

H. B. Moorhead, 

Committee. 

Adopted March 23, 1921. 


HON. LUTHER BROWN 

. Mr. Speaker —Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions com¬ 
memorative of the life, character and public services of the Hon. Luther 
Brown, beg leave to submit the following: 

Hon. Luther Brown was born in Mahoning, Ohio, January 10, 1838. 

In 1860 he entered Rush Medical College, and later took post-graduate 
work at the same institution, and a three months’ course at St. Thomas’ 
Hospital, London. 

Dr. Brown established himself in the practice of his profession at 
Postville, Iowa, in 1866, where he maintained his residence until 1890, 
removing from there to Rockford, where he resided until his death. 

He was a veteran of the Civil War, enlisting in the 20th Wisconsin 
Infantry, and was later hospital steward in the army. 

Politically, he was a democrat, and served as the representative of 
Allamakee county in the lower House during the 16th General Assembly. 

He was also a railroad surgeon, and examiner for many of the leading 
old-line insurance companies, with some of which he was connected for 
a period of forty years; and also acted as United States pension examiner 
for a number of years. 

He was a member of the A. M. A. Medical Society of the Mississippi 
Valley, North Iowa Medical Society, Austin Flint Cedar Valley Medical 
Association, and a member of the Masonic Order and G. A. R. 



Dr. Brown was married, and is survived by his wife, Ella Brown, Pen¬ 
sacola, Fla., and one daughter, Mrs. J. 0. Thrush of River Falls, Wis. 

His death occurred at Pensacola, Fla., January 19, 1921. 

Whereas, In his death the county and state have lost a worthy and 
honorable citizen; 

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That we hereby extend to the relatives and 
friends our tribute of respect; and 

Be It Further Resolved, That these resolutions of respect be printed in 
the journal of the House and the chief clerk be directed to forward an 
engrossed copy to the widow of the deceased. 

I. E. Beeman, 

J. S. Garber, 

Chas. Gilmore, 

J. H. McGhee, 

Committee. 

Adopted March 23 , 1921. 


HON. DAVID ORLAND STONE 

At the Savery Hotel in the city of Des Moines, at 4:30 o’clock, on 
Friday, February 18th, David Orland Stone, a member of the Thirty- 
ninth General Assembly from Sioux County, passed away after an 

illness of but eight clays. He was born at Belpre, Ohio, February 25, 

• 

1864, and with one more week of life would have reached his fifty- 
seventh birthday. He was brought by his parents to Cherokee in 1867. 
The following year the family came to Sioux county, locating at Cal- 
liope on August 12, 1868. On December 25, 1884, he was married to 
Generzia Dunham, whose death occurred August 2 8, 1918. One son, 
Merle R. Stone, and one daughter, Mrs. J. A. Armstrong, survive; and 
there is one brother, Fred P. Stone of Sioux Falls. 

k 

A review of the life of Mr. Stone would be to recount the growth 
and progress of Sioux County, so closely was his life interwoven with 
the life of the community. Coming to the county when there were 
but three families residing therein, he saw, and was a part of all the 
steps that have transformed the wild, rolling prairie into a highly de¬ 
veloped agricultural life. 

For years after the arrival of the family in Sioux County, they lived 
in a log house on the bank of the Sioux River. Here they passed 
through the vicissitudes of pioneer days. Young Stone attended the 
common schools in Calliope and in Orange City, and at the latter place 
learned the printer’s trade at the early age of fourteen, in the office 
of the Sioux County Herald. 

Later he worked for short periods in newspaper offices at Rock 



Valley and Hull. In December, 1880, his father purchased the Sioux 
County Independent and moved the plant from Alton to Calliope. The 
father died within a month and the youth of seventeen found himself 
installed as editor of a newspaper. The two brothers were associated in 
this enterprise, but decedent soon acquired his brother’s interest. Later 
the printing plant was moved to Hawarden, in January, 1887, where 
Mr. Stone remained until the time of his death. 

Thus for a period of more than forty years he was actively identified 
with .the business interests of his home and community. His work as 
editor was upon a fine, high-minded plane, and his work and life were 
not only filled with usefulness but such as to endear him to the people 
of his county. He served as postmaster at Hawarden from 1895 to 1899, 
was a member of the school board for several years, and in 1914 was 
elected to the House in the Thirty-sixth General Assembly and re-elected 
to the Thirty-seventh, Thirty-eighth and Thirty-ninth General Assem¬ 
blies. 

Mr. Stone, by hard work, careful, efficient service, and unflagging in¬ 
tegrity, fashioned for himself a place of strong influence in the General 
Assembly. He was quiet, unpretentious, gentle, kind and thorough, and 
at the time of his death was chairman of the appropriations committee 
of the Thirty-ninth General Assembly. He had won this place through 
sheer merit and recognized capacity. 

At the beginning of 1920 his son was taken into full partnership in 
the newspaper business, and just as Mr. Stone was looking forward to 
transferring to the shoulders of his son the responsibilities that he had 
been carrying for many years, his summons came. 

David Orland Stone was of that fine, sincere type to whom none would 
think of bringing a single suggestion that was at variance with the best 
purposes in life. Those who have known him in the legislative service, 
as well as the great body of people of Sioux county whom he knew so 
well, will always hold him in tender memory. He was the type that 
justifies humanity at its best, and the purity, zeal and efficiency of his 
career are a , lesson to all of us. 

Be It Resolved , By the House of Representatives of the Thirty-ninth 
General Assembly, That in the passing of David Orland Stone we are 
conscious of a vital loss to the state, and of a deep personal loss as well; 
that we commend his career in the four General Assemblies in which 
he served as exhibiting the finest qualities of American citizenship; that 
we shall hold his quiet, kindly and genial personality in the tenderest 
remembrance, and would express to those who survive him the very 
high appreciation in which he was held by the members of this House. 


—63— 


Be It Further Resolved, That a duly enrolled copy of this resolution 
be forwarded to the family of deceased. 

. G. L. Venard, 

J. B. Weaver, 

J. H. Anderson, 

Committee. 

Adopted April 4, 1921. 


HON. A. C. RECK 

Mb. Speaker —Your committee appointed to prepare a memorial to 
properly commemorate the life and service to the state of the Honorable 
A. C. Reck, a member of the Eighteenth General Assembly, beg leave 
to submit the following report: 

A. C'. Reck was born in Stark Count/, Ohio, April 3rd, 1834, and died 
at the home of his daughter in Spokane, Wash., March 31st, 1921, hence 
at the time of his death lacked but three days of his eighty-seventh 
birthday. : i . ' 

The story of his life is the story of a young man going west and grow¬ 
ing up with the country and that country Decatur and Wayne counties, 
Iowa. ; ! t * 

After the admission of Iowa as a state into the Union, emigration 
began to flow from Ohie and other eastern states and to settle, in the new 
country west of the Des Moines river. They traveled overland either 
by team or down the Ohio river by boat to Keokuk and then on by team. 
Among them came the subject of this sketch. At twenty years of age he 
left his native state, and came to Iowa, settling at Garden Grove in 
Decatur county. The next year, 1855, he married the daughter of the 
proprietor of the first hotel conducted in that place, Miss Ann Maria 
Dawes. 

At that time Wayne and Decatur counties had no towns, not even 
platted villages. Soon after his marriage he moved to a farm near Sandy 
Point, Decatur county, about eight miles northwest of Lineville in Wayne 
county, and for about ten or twelve years ran a grist mill and saw mill 
and manufactured coffins out of walnut lumber. 

In those days a mill was a business center. Reek’s Mill wag a name as 
familiar to those who patronized it as the name of our towns and cities 
are to us. In truth, the acquaintances made were far more intimate than 
anything 1 we know nowadays. Many people traveled so far to mill that 
they had to sojourn all night with the miller and return home the next 
day and Mr. Reek’s hospitality was unlimited. 

Soon after the close of the Civil War, Mr. Reck moved to a farm in 
Wayne county about eight miles west of where Allerton now is. In 1870 
came the first railroad to Wayne county, and Judge Aller of Leavenworth, 



Kansas, one of the owners of said railroad located the town of Allerton 
on 160 acres of land owned by him in said county. About 1871, P. M. 
Phillips who had been running a dry goods store in Corydon moved it to 
Allerton ^nd took Mr. A. C. Reck in as a partner. The business was con¬ 
ducted under the firm name of Phillips & Reck. 

This firm was dissolved after about ten years and Mr. Reck formed a 
partnership with his son-in-law, J. B. Rankin and engaged in the drug 
business in Allerton under the firm name of Reck & Rankin. 

At one time in his life he had accumulated a considerable fortune, but 
twice in his mercantile experience, he suffered a heavy loss by being 
burned out and with a proportionately small amount of insurance. He 
served as Mayor of Allerton and for a number , of years as Justice of the 
Peace, and for a while was owner and editor of the Allerton News. 

Mr. Reck had practically no public school education but he was a great 
reader and became self educated. He taught a country school while living 
in Decatur county. 

His home life was the most pleasant, and for more than sixty-five 
years he journeyed through life with the wife of his youth and was ever 
a faithful husband. 

He was elected on the Republic ticket, Representative to the Eight¬ 
eenth General Assembly and served in that body with marked efficiency. 
He was chairman of the committee on enrolled bills and a member of 
other committees. 

Coming to Iowa in her infancy he ever after remained one of her loyal 
citizens. It was “Beautiful Iowa” when he came and it is “Beautiful 
Iowa” now. But what a change from the wild state he served as a 
pioneer to the various activities of her teaming millions within her 
borders now. He was a pioneer and he was more, he has served Iowa 
through all these years. 

He is survived by his wife, three sons and four daughters. 

In recognition of the value of his life and service to the state of Iowa, 
and in expression of our appreciation of his character and example, 

Be It Resolved , by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-ninth 
General Assembly, that we express our high esteem of his life and char¬ 
acter and that we extend to his bereaved widow and children, our sincere 
sympathy. 

Be It Further Resolved , That a copy of these resolutions be spread 
upon the Journal of the House, and that the Chief Clerk be directed to 
send an enrolled copy to his widow. 

C. W. Elson, 

R. O. Miller, 

R. L. Rumley, 

Committee, 

Adopted April 6, 1921. 

—65— 


HON. FRANCIS GRAY CLARK 

Francis Gray Clark was born in Roxbury, Vermont, April 17, 1838. 
He removed to Bridgewater, Vermont, with his parents in 1843, and 
was educated in the common schools. He later attended an* academy 
in South Woodstock, Vermont, till the spring of 1859, when he entered 
Barre Academy. He entered Middlebury College in 1860, and remained 
there till the summer of 1862, when he enlisted in Company G, Six- 
teeth Vermont Volunteer Infantry. He was in the service about a 
year and was actively engaged with his regiment in the Gettysburg 
campaign. General Stannard’s brigade, to which the Sixteenth Ver¬ 
mont belonged, took a conspicuous part in the third day of the battle 
of Gettysburg and aided in repulsing Pickett’s charge. Mr. Clark, the 
captain being disabled, was in command of the company at that time. 

Returning home, he joined his class after a year’s absence and 
graduated in 1864. In the fall of that year he took charge of Chester 
(Vt.) Academy, but on January 4, 1865, enlisted for a second time 
in the Twenty-sixth New York Cavalry, which was stationed on the 
northern frontier to prevent incursions from Canada. He was mus¬ 
tered out at the close of the war in June, 1865. He at once began read¬ 
ing law in the office of General F. W. Hopkins, then clerk of courts 
at Rutland, Vermont. In May, 1866, he entered the law office of Gen¬ 
eral Peter T. Washburne of Woodstock, Vermont, and was admitted 
to Windsor county bar in December, 1866. He decided to remove to 
the West, and settled in Belle Plaine, Benton county, Iowa, where he 
practised law successfully for several years. In 1872-3 he was a mem¬ 
ber of the House in the Fourteenth General Assembly, both at the regu¬ 
lar and special session. 

In November, 1876, he removed to Cedar Rapids where he resided 
till the time of his death. He was steadily engaged in the practice of 
the law, the firm being known as “Clark & Clark.” His oldest son, 
Charles Francis Clark, at this time a member of the Thirty-ninth Gen¬ 
eral Assembly, was the junior member of the firm. 

Mr. Clark was married, first, in Rochester,' Vermont, September 5, 
1865, to Harriet N. Newton, who died September 28, 1892. Mrs. Clark 
was a woman of especially fine attainments and scholarship, and a 
successful teacher before her marriage. Mr. Clark was married the 
second time September 1, 1896, to Mary Virginia Loy, of Cedar Rapids. 
The widow and five children survive decedent. The children are 
Maude, Charles Francis, Paul Newton, David Flagg and Robert Lane, 
one child Charles Newton having died in 1869. 

Mr. Clark occupied a position of leadership in the life of the state 
and in the community in which he lived. He was at one time senior 
vice department commander of the G. A. R. of Iowa, and commander 
of the military order of the Loyal Legion. He was charter member of 
the First Congregational Church, of Cedar Rapids, and has been a 
member of its board of trustees since its organization in 1879. He was 


president of the school board for years. For nearly forty years he 
was a member of the board of trustees of the Cedar Rapids Y. M. C. A., 
and vice president of such board. He was at one time member of the 
city council and was distinguished in the life of his home city for pub¬ 
lic spirit and wide civic interest. 

The career of Mr. Clark was notably marked by those civic activities 
and fine ideals of service that distinguish the best American manhood. 
He was the type that makes for the safety of society and for the de¬ 
velopment of the best in the life of the family and the state. 

We cannot better indicate the character of Mr. Francis Gray Clark 
than to quote from appreciation prepared by his fellow members of the 
First Congregational Church, of Cedar Rapids. We quote as follows: 

“It is hardly a figure of speech to call him the father of the church. 
One of the first, if not the very first, in its founding and planting, he 
was the last of the little charter band of twenty-four to have watched 
its growth, led and joined in its labors, and shared in its accomplish¬ 
ments. In addition to his many other responsibilities, the rare experi¬ 
ence was his to have held the office of trustee of the church for nearly 
forty-two years. To no other individual is the church under such in¬ 
debtedness on the score of wisdom, prudence, zeal and untiring devo¬ 
tion. 

“And now his peaceful passing, beyond the allotted span of fourscore 
years, has but deepened and sweetened the impression of his fine and 
sturdy character, and his genial personality. His was a life well lived 
in three dimensions; it was long and broad and deep. To us remains 
a serene and grateful memory. To him is fulfilled the promise of a 
crown of life for those who have been faithful unto death. The sym¬ 
pathy of the church, made up of human hearts, for the sorrowing 
household, is mingled with pride in the untarnished record of that use¬ 
ful life.” 

Be It Resolved , by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-ninth 
General Assembly: That in the passing of Honorable Frank G. Clark 
this assembly would express its realization of the loss of one of the 
strong, fine men of the state, a citizen of great public spirit and use¬ 
fulness and of the highest civic ideals, and the House would tender 
by this resolution its sympathy for the family that survives. 

Be It Further Resolved, that a duly enrolled copy of this resolution be 
forwarded to the family of deceased. 

J. B. Weaver, 

E. H. Knickerbocker, 

Geo. B. Perkins, 

Committee. 

Adopted April 4, 1921. 


67 — 


HON. GEORGE W. BALL 

Mr. Speaker —Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions com¬ 
memorating the life, character, and public service of the Honorable George 
W. Ball, of Jefferson County, beg leave to submit the following report: 

George W. Ball, was born in Brooks County, Virginia, March 6th, 1848. 
His father, Joseph Ball, was also a native of Virginia, and was a descendant 
from the same family as Mary Ball, the mother of George Washington. 
His mother, Margaret Langfit Ball, was born in Pennsylvania, and was a 
cousin of President James K. Polk. Mr. Ball came to Jefferson County, 
Iowa, with his parents in the year 1854, where he resided until the time 
of his death, March 14th, 1920. He received his primary education in 
the district school and later attended the Fairfield University. He was 
engaged in various different businesses, but farming and stock raising 
was his principal occupation. He was married October 31, 1872, to Miss 
Margaret Laughlin, and to them were born five sons and one daughter. 
Mr. Ball was a member of the House of Representatives in the Twenty- 
second, Twenty-third and Thirty-sixth; and Senator in the Thirty-seventh 
and Thirty-eighth General Assemblies. He was a member of the Christian 
church and of the I. O. O. F. He was loyal to his friends, his community, 
his state and his nation and offered to each the fullest measure of 
devotion. In every every good cause he was a faithful worker, and to 
every movement for the advancement of the community in which he 
lived he always gave of his time and means. 

In the death of George W. Ball, the state has lost a useful citizen, his 
life and public services, were of high character and he will be remembered 
as an ideal patriot, citizen, neighbor and friend. 

Therefore , Be It Resolved , that in the death of George W. Ball the state 
has lost one of its most loyal citizens and that the House recognizes the 
high character of his services to the state and takes this occasion to 
express its appreciation of his character and public services and to extend 
to his family its sincere sympathy in their bereavement. 

Be It Further Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be spread upon 
the Journal of this House and that the Chief Clerk transmit a copy to 
the family of the deceased. 

Wm. L. Long, 

J. C. Lockin, 

J. H. Anderson, 

Committee. 

Adopted March 23, 1921. 


REMARKS OF J. C. LOCKIN IN MEMORY OF THE LATE GEO. B. 
CURTIS, GEO. W. BALL AND F. F. ROE 

Mr. Chairman and Friends:— I come before you with mingled feelings. 
I am sad to think the friends of former days have passed from us, but 
am glad that I can look back and remember their work in this Hall, 


68 





in former years. I am able to speak of the work of the three men 
whose memorials have just been read, Mr. Geo. B. Curtis, of Clinton 
county, Mr. George Ball, of Jefferson county, and Mr. F. F. Roe, of 
Monona county. These three men with myself were members of the 
22nd General Assembly, which convened January, 1887. I have al¬ 
ways been glad that I was a member of the 2 2nd General Assembly, 
not only because of the notable men who sat in that body, but be¬ 
cause of some of the outstanding legislation enacted at that session. 
Let me remind you of some of the men who composed that body: Sen. 
A. B. Cummins and James Berryhill, of this city; John R. Hamilton, 
of Cedar Rapids; James Smith, of Mitchell county; Hobson of Buena 
'Vista; McFarlain, of Emmett; Dayton of Allamakee; Wilson, of Cass 
and many others. Five men from the House of the 22nd were after¬ 
wards elected to congress, one to the U. S. Senate, two became Secre¬ 
tary of State, two Railroad Commissioners and as you know, Mr. 
Curtis was one of the men who went to congress, Mr. Ball was elected 
to the State Senate several times. I want to speak about some of the 
legislation that was enacted in those early days which these men stood 
for and helped put on the statute books; first, the railroad laws that 
have stood the test of the courts for all these years and have been 
looked upon as the beginning of state control of the railroads; the 
abolishment of the pass system, when you remember that these men 
were given passes over every railroad in the state, at the beginning 
of the session. You will realize that it took strength of character 
to return the passes and enact a law that removed the corrupting 
influence of accepting such favors from the hands of the railroads. 
The county uniformity of textbooks and the laws forbidding mine 
owners paying the miners in script and compelling them to trade out 
their wages at the company’s stores. All of these and many more 
measures, these men supported and stood against powerful influences 
which we, of this assembly, know nothing about. Mr. Curtis needs no 
eulogy from me for the people from his own county and congressional 
district, in repeatedly honoring him proved that they had confidence 
in him and that is the best evidence that he was strong and clean in 
business as well as politics. And I personally know of the respect 
and confidence in which Mr. Ball and Mr. Roe were held in their 
own communities; they not only did their best for the state while 
serving it, but stood for and supported the enterprises at home, that 
helped to develop high ideals in the people of their own communities. 

Because of my intimate acquaintance with and appreciation of these 
three men, I have asked your indulgence while I add my testimony as 
a memorial to their life and service.- 

J. C. Lockin. 


— 69 — 


REMARKS OF JAMES B. WEAVER IN MEMORY OF THE LATE 
HONORABLE JAMES WILSON OF TAMA COUNTY 


On September 3, 1920, the flags at the National Capitol were at half 
mast. On that day there gathered at Traer, Iowa, the home of Hon¬ 
orable James Wilson, affectionately known as'“Tama Jim,” a great com¬ 
pany of the friends and neighbors of the deceased, with representatives 
of the Department of Agriculture over which the deceased presided 
for so many years with such honor to himself and to the State of Iowa. 
In the Presbyterian church to which he belonged, his favorite hymns 
were sung and the eventful life of the deceased was reviewed. 

James Wilson was born August 16, 1835, in the County of Ayrshire, 
Scotland. It is the county in which Burns was born, and the great 
poet had no more enthusiastic follower and admirer than “Tama Jim.” 
Many of Burns’ poems he knew at heart and loved to recite, and 
though a devoted American he had an abiding love for the country of 
his birth. 

His father was a farmer. He brought the family to the United 
States in 1852 and settled on a half section of Tama County land in 
1855. Young Wilson worked in a sawmill the first year of the Tama 
County residence. He became a practical farmer. He was a great 
reader and eagerly sought every opportunity to become conversant with 
the classics, and also to inform himself upon the problems which more 
directly affected his calling. He was married in 1863. When the 
Civil War began, he and his brother made an arrangement by which 
the brother should go to war and James should remain and care for 
the families and the farm. This arrangement was carried out, and 
when the war closed the eighty-acre farm had grown to a half section. 
He took an active interest in all public matters and in September, 1864, 
was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors. This service led to 
action in a broader field, for he was elected to represent Tama County 
in the Twelfth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth General assemblies, being a 
member of the House, and was elected Speaker in the Fourteenth Gen¬ 
eral assembly. 

The career of James Wilson in the General assembly was a militant 
battle for the protection of the agricultural interest of the State. 
He secured the passage of a law requiring that stock and not land should 
be fenced, and the granting of county option in this connection. He 
was a member of the Railroad Committee, and throughout the three 
sessions was especially interested in the regulation of railroad charges. 
At that time there arose the question of the acceptance by the rail¬ 
roads of sundry land grants. On every occasion he insisted upon the 
principle that such acceptance should be. conditional upon sub¬ 
mission by the railroad to regulation of freight charges by the state. 
Time and again, as a member of the Railroad Committee, he brought 
in minority reports to this effect and secured their substitution for the 
majority report. 


—70— 


In 1873 he was elected to Congress, serving until 1877. He was re¬ 
elected in 1883. His career in Congress was marked by the same interest 
in agricultural legislation that he had shown in the General assembly, 
and he shared in the movement for the establishment of the Interstate 
Commerce Commission. He was a member of the Farmers’ Protective 
Association which made the fight against the barbed wire monopoly. 

In 1882 Mr. Wilson was elected member of the Iowa Railroad Commis¬ 
sion. Returning to Congress in 1883, he was especially active in secur¬ 
ing a law for disinfection and quarantining of live stock and for pro¬ 
tection against pleuro-pneumonia. 

In 1890 Mr. Wilson became professor of Agriculture of the State 
College, and director of the Experiment Station. Although his technical 
education had been limited, yet through systematic reading and study, 
and his experience in public life, he became an expert in agricultural 
education and brought the Agricultural Department in the State Col¬ 
lege to the very forefront of the institution. He had a keen appreciation 
of the value of Science to the farm and developed the experimental 
work at the State College to a high point of efficiency. 

In February, 1897, President McKinley invited James Wilson to be¬ 
come Secretary of Agriculture. He did for the Department of Agri¬ 
culture what he had done for the College. For sixteen years he served 
as Secretary of the Department, serving under McKinley, Roosevelt and 
Taft. 


So great has been the influence of James Wilson upon the Depart¬ 
ment of Agriculture that it may be said to stand as his'monument to¬ 
day. He introduced Durum wheat, promoted the beet sugar industry 
and developed the hog cholera serum treatment. He investigated and 
promoted the protection of milk supply against tuberculosis. He shared 
in the enactment of the Food and Drug Act. He promoted packing 
inspection. He encouraged the growing of rice, alfalfa, fruits and in¬ 
deed displayed a passion for development in every substantial line of 
agricultural effort. 

When James Wilson retired from the Agricultural Department, March 
4, 1913, he had seen the American balance of trade grow from two 
hundred thirty-four million to four hundred and thirty-five million. 
He had seen the Department develop until it had twenty-five hundred 
employes, and he saw it take a place of dignity, importance and recogni¬ 
tion which was the direct fruit of his labors. 

Upon his return home after his retirement, a great reception was 
tendered him at Ames, and a little later Governor Clarke appointed 
Mr. Wilson and the late Henry Wallace on a Commission for the In¬ 
vestigation- of agricultural conditions abroad, with a view to recom¬ 
mendations here at home for the preservation of Iowa’s agricultural 
resources. The two old Scotchmen enjoyed the trip abroad very greatly, 
and came home uniting in a report to the Governor which deals with 


—71— 


the fundamental problem of the preservation of the fertility of the 
soil. 

The obscure Scotch farm boy had so developed in the service of the 
Nation and the State that in his latter years he was the recipient of 
many honors. He was the president of the National Agricultural so¬ 
ciety and received honorary degrees from many institutions, including 
the State Universities of Wisconsin, Missouri, from Cornell and Mc¬ 
Gill—in all eighteen American universities. 

James Wilson had also the unique honor to receive a degree from 
the University of Edinburgh. The five Americans who have received 
that degree are Carnegie, Choate, Mark Twain, Joseph Jefferson and 
James Wilson. 

James Wilson loved deeply his home town and county, and shared 
in their civic activities to the end of his life. Agriculture was, however, 
his fundamental passion and he lived to see and to share in the great 
Farm Bureau Movement of our own time. 

James Wilson was a strong, picturesque, vigorous Scotch-American. 
He kept his feet upon the ground, and his life was full of constructive 
endeavor. He knew and often spoke of the interdependence of modern 
life, and although his activity had been more intimately connected with 
one great class he had a broad conception of our interdependence and 
of the many elements that contribute to American prosperity. 

James Wilson’s character was elemental, like the soil and the wind 
and the skies that he loved- He passed out full of honors and with 
the unqualified approval of his career by his fellow men. 

Iowa is proud of James Wilson and his remarkable life. His career 
is a living illustration of the opportunity that inheres in American life. 
His name will stand for SERVICE, and that should be a lesson to all 
who follow him. 

As someone has said of him: “He was a Christian gentlemen, and 
his father and mother were Christians before him. That was his 
strong anchorage through life.” 

I would close this sketch with the words with which he closed his 
final report as Secretary of Agriculture: 

“Men grow old in service and in years, and cease their labor, 
but the results of their labor and the children of their brains will 
live on.” 



k ' ' /v ' £. , X *V * 




. '* • ;;J « | ’ ' 

* n_ 

. 













LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 































/ 








\ • 















